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Moore is stopped by the Secret Service outside the Saudi Arabian embassy

In some ways, Fahrenheit 9/11 is the least egocentric of Moore's films to date—there are fewer of those famous publicity stunts in which Moore himself is the star of his own show—yet he still cannot help interrupting his interviewees and stealing their punchlines. Some have complained that his films cannot be "documentaries" because they are not "objective," but pure objectivity is impossible and perhaps even undesirable; every film reflects some sort of perspective, and there is something to be said for films that take a clear side on any given issue.

The problem with Fahrenheit 9/11 is not that it is one-sided, per se; it is that Moore barely acknowledges there even is another side. The problem is not that he fails to give the other side equal time or equal validity; it is that he shows virtually no interest in what that other side might be, and in how he might best deal with it. Inevitably, this weakens Moore's own arguments—or it would, if he was all that concerned about making any. Moore's appeal is more emotional and visceral than intellectual; in his own way, Moore is a fearmonger, and preying on the ignorance of his audience just as he accuses Bush of doing.

Talk About It

1. What is the connection between faith and politics? Some people say politics is the art of compromise—do you agree? Is political compromise possible if one is committed to one's faith?
   
   
2. How should Christians engage in debate, whether over political or spiritual matters? How much space should we gave to alternative points of view? How much effort should we put into understanding another side to any given issue? Is "propaganda" ever justified, and if so, when, and why?
   
   
3. Who is responsible for a soldier's actions? The soldier, or people higher up the chain of command? How much responsibility does a person have for his own actions after he has sworn to obey his orders? Is it possible to go into a combat zone, knowing you will kill people, while still somehow being "moral" about it?

The Family Corner

Fahrenheit 9/11 is rated R for "some violent and disturbing images, and for language." Some characters use profane language and listen to profanity-laden music, and the film includes images of combat wounds, public beheadings, and humiliated prisoners.

Photos © Copyright Lions Gate Films

Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11set a box office record for a documentary, out-grossing Moore's own Oscar-winning Bowling for Columbine in its very first weekend.

It also started the biggest movie-related debate since tempers flared over Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ. Some are even challenging Moore's definition of "documentary," saying the content of this film amounts to nothing more than anti-George Bush propaganda.

While some of Moore's information is factual (some would say all of it, some would say very little), many religious press critics take issue with what he leaves out, and even more are upset about the tone with which Moore delivers his diatribe. Much of Moore's visual presentation consists of quotes taken out of context and embarrassing video footage of the President caught in awkward moments.

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Related Elsewhere:

The Write Wing Responds	Printer view
Our Fahrenheit 9/11 review drew a ton of readers—and a slew of e-mail.