An Inconvenient Truth (2006) April 18, 2007
Posted by gproject in : Recently Viewed , trackbackDirected by: Davis Guggenheim
This thoroughly researched documentary lays out the details of global warming with an aim to both shock and provoke change. Presented with style by ex-presidential candidate Al Gore, the film tells the story of his personal commitment to raise environmental awareness in-between a formal presentation which explains the details of this potentially world-threatening issue.
Gore admits to having given this presentation a thousand times and it shows in his comfortable style and interaction with the presentation graphics. The way he links his seemingly tangential personal stories back into the subject at hand shows that this was a well planned shoot, and not just a ‘turn up and point the camera’ affair. He’s actually a very good speaker, relating his knowledge and intelligence on the subject to the audience with great skill.
The actual presentation is extremely well put together containing numerous animated graphs, some CG animation, and a great clip from an episode of Matt Groening’s Futurama. It’s all very clear and shot in a style that gets the most out of the single room environment. Besides that, there’s really not much left to say, since many of the elements that usually make documentaries into ‘films’ are stripped away here. It basically boils down to a filmed lecture with the odd insert narrated by Al Gore, often showing him playing around with the order of the presentation slides in a darkened room.
And yet the subject matter is so compelling that most of the simplicity goes by unnoticed. As the evidence piles up it’s very difficult not to question why we’re doing so little to stop what will clearly be a major worldwide disaster. I defy anyone to watch An Inconvenient Truth and not feel compelled to try and do something, anything, to contribute to the cause.
The intention of this documentary is shouted loud and clear - to get the message out before it’s too late. As a movie, I don’t think it would have made a great difference if it had shown up on our TV screens instead of at our multiplexes, since the format isn’t exactly what you would call ‘big screen’ material. Although with two Oscars under its belt now including ‘Best Documentary Feature’ and a whole heap of press during its release, I’m sure that Gore is pleased with the exposure. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting on the real action to be taken.
Comments»
I saw an incredibly interesting retort to this film on Channel Four. The arguements for alternative theories of global warming (essentially natural causes) were put forward with cogency and vigour. It is however a minority of experts against the very sizeable majority.