Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine) is back as he turns his attention to examining Donald Trump’s election win on November 9, 2016 (that’s 11/9 in American parlance). Moore travels across America to get a sense of the social, economic and political impact of the Trump presidency amidst the chaos of the new administration’s provocative tweets, staff firings and outright lies.
Fahrenheit 11/9 is a provocative look at the times we live in. It explores the two most important questions of the Trump era: How did we get here, and how do we get out? If you’re considered and erudite you can justify just about anything. You can mount a reasonable and compelling argument, back it up with file vision and influence thought.
That’s what Michael Moore does in this bloated offering. In short, it takes a look at the state of the US today and bemoans the fact that it is what it is. It also rationalises how Trump won the last election and the lies perpetrated by the Hilary Clinton camp, before going on to paint Trump as a megalomaniac. Drawing analogies to Hitler though was downright offensive.
The documentary is far too long, jumps from topic to topic, and clearly pushes Moore’s agenda of accountability. While there are some fine upstanding voices, namely the schoolchildren, I learned nothing I didn’t already know. My life would have been complete without seeing Fahrenheit 11/9.
Director: Michael Moore
Release Date: 1 November 2018
Rating: M
Alex First
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David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television
