How Michael Moore Makes His Arguments in Bowling for Columbine

How Michael Moore Makes His Arguments in Bowling for Columbine

Michael Moore in his latest documentary, 'Bowling for Columbine', has

aimed his camera directly between the eyes of our American culture.

Using the school shootings of 1999 in Columbine and Flint as a

starting point, Moore documents the fear and hypocrisy that has come

to define this American culture. I'm going to avoid discussion of the

specific material presented in this moving film; I feel no need to

reinvent the wheel, it would only come out square.

Personally, I have never been witness to a more powerful, more

heartfelt documentary. Michael Moore, a Flint, MI native, is obviously

shaken, and incensed by these shootings. In the role of forensic

sociologist, he tries to reconstruct the scene of the crime. What went

wrong? How were these kids led to shoot and kill their classmates? It

wasn't the teasing. Kids are cruel, everyone knows that. It wasn't

Marilyn Manson. No matter what the parents say. So what was it? Why

are there so many gun murders in our country?

As clear as Moore's state of the nation comes across, so does his

personality. Typically, a man who faces tragedy with a sense of humor,

in doing so, skirts the issue. Moore, through his interviewing, and

filmmaking, expresses both his heavy heart and lighthearted wit. This

humor is what makes the film bearable to watch. The material discussed

is not easy to take. It focuses in on our major flaws and accepts no

excuses. There are many images of death, including September 11th

footage. That the film leaves the viewer informed and not suicidal is

a testament to Moore's virtuosic presentation.

On leaving the the...

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...deological quest, an op-ed piece concerned mainly with asking

questions. Moore himself admits he is confused; he presents

suggestions, but by his own admission the answers are beyond him. It's

all right; sometimes questions are enough.

Any U.S. citizens concerned with the state of this country should view

this film. There are moments of high comedy and moments that are

unspeakably moving. You will be affected. Some say we have a

constitutional right to any and all weapons, the better to overthrow

any unjust government. Moore suggests that it may be more powerful to

arm ourselves with inquisitive natures, and with outrage. I hope this

film shakes people up. I hope it makes them think. Time to wake up and

smell the fear. 11,000 murders each year, within our borders alone.

We've got the Constitutional right to them all.