Michael Moore uses documentary to examine social questions

Bowling for Columbine is the new documentary from the politically savvy Michael Moore, the director responsible for Roger and Me, and TV Nation. Now Moore is tackling the issue of violence in America, and Bowling for Columbine relays his message in a witty and poignant way.

The United States is the most violent developed nation in the world, and many people disagree about the reasons behind this unfortunate truth. Moore sets out to find answers in his latest film, traveling the country, talking to people and getting ideas, mostly about such controversial issues as gun control and the influence of the media. With the recent serial sniper attacks across Virginia, Bowling for Columbine is even more pertinent.

Moore is especially adept at asking those questions that really need to be examined in this country. Why is America so violent? Why does our media nurture fear? Why do so many people in America want to get their hands on a gun? These questions are not easy to answer, and while Moore attempts to make some progress towards revealing some answers, he does not make any promises. He is not attempting to single-handedly solve America's problems, but rather he reminds the audience of what they are and does so in a usually clever but sometimes frighteningly somber manner.

Bowling for Columbine is a documentary centered around the inexplicable tragedy of a school shooting at Columbine. Many different sources have been blamed for the horrible event, from violent video games, to movies, to every aspect of the media, and even specific musicians like Marilyn Manson. While Moore cites these as valid explanation, he also warns viewers of jumping to conclusions by informing us that the last thing the shooters did before the event was go bowling. Perhaps there is a correlation there. While this is just Moore's facetious wit, it is a reminder to deeply explore these issues before making any definite decisions.

At times the film tends to become a bit scattered as Moore moves from point to point without definite closure, sometimes straying too far. However, this stems from his interest in really exploring all sides of an issue. Moore has a gift for interviewing with people whose opinions are completely unlike his own and pointing out the flaws in their ideas without them quite realizing it. Of course, some of the time his subjects will storm out, but for the most part Moore makes a point with each of them, whether he agrees with them or not.

Moore truly does look at all the angles: men who own ten guns and know how to make bombs, sociologists who know about the benefits of gun control, Marilyn Manson, and the guru of guns himself, Charleton Heston.

At one point he travels up to Canada to try to figure out why the Canadians have such a lower rate of shootings than the US, but a relatively similar amount of guns. What he discovered is Canadians are not afraid. They don't even lock their doors _ even in big cities. Moore knows this firsthand because he tested it out, meeting a few Canadian citizens at their own doors.

It is this sincerity that really shows through in Bowling for Columbine. Moore wants answers and is just as frustrated as his viewers at not always being able to find them. There are moments when he is genuinely surprised or touched at what the people he interviews have to say. While Moore may come off as a little too self-righteous on occasion by over-emphasizing his points, those who agree with him will admire his motives the whole way through. Moore really does mean well.



What Moore really does in Bowling for Columbine is raise issues and start a discussion that the audience will hopefully continue after the credits roll. The more people who see this movie and react strongly to it, no matter what the reaction, the better. Michael Moore's success will really depend on whether or not he can get America to discuss its problems with violence. That is, after all, the first step towards a solution.