Bowling for Columbine
A Documentary by Michael Moore.
A wonderful constellation of characters and events, including himself, conspire to make Michael Moore’s documentary film a gem. I alternated between going out and getting myself a gun and well, “there’s the rub”. Perhaps I’ve become cynical.
This film works at establishing that America is indeed a violent country. It includes an overwhelming ‘litany’ of America’s dastardly deeds. Moore asks “Why”. He seeks explanation in history. There is a delightful ‘in film’ animation showing a potted American history of ‘fear’. Moore looks at his personal experience. Being a sucker for nostalgia I loved seeing the cowboy suits of my childhood. My little brother had one. “We couldn’t wait to go out and shoot up the neighbourhood” says Moore recalling his childhood.
“Happiness is a warm gun” sings the soundtrack as we learn that our host is himself a member of the NRA. This “Merry Prankster Everyman” cuts swathes across the set and through doors, otherwise closed. Psyche speaks.
In Michigan someone claims it’s a dereliction of duty if one does not take arms against ‘the enemy’ who might at anytime violate one’s domain.
On April 20 1999, twenty-two NATO missiles blast Kosova. On the same day Eric and Dylan reek mayhem at Columbine High. Home of the Rebels.
Matt Stone, of South Park fame, remembers being told at school not to fuck up, or you’ll die poor and lonely. “Hey it sucks being a teenager. It sucks going to school.”
See Bowling for Columbine. You will become well informed about America and guns. You’ll meet lots of folk close up, famous and ordinary. You’ll meet Mr Hate himself, Marilyn Manson sitting at the centre of this film, as one cool and logical dude. You’ll cruise along the corridors of a Wal Mart and a High School, Columbine High School. The underbelly of the beast.
“What a wonderful world” croons Nat King Cole. Home of the Brave, Land of the Free, and America bombs another country we can’t pronounce the name of.
Lou Crow
