Bowling for Columbine

Bowling for Columbine

Katie Joannes
February 5, 2003 | Comments (10)

Director: Michael Moore
Release Date: 2002
Rating: R (for some violent images and language)
See it on Amazon

bowling-large (34k image) Looking for a film about bowling? This is not it. Bowling for Columbine, a Michael Moore documentary, is more about the annals of American society, the role of the media, and fear than it is about bowling or Columbine, though you get a morsel of both within the images. Once again, Moore puts together a poignant synopsis of the underlying ideals of America, the media, and the blame so readily placed on the wrong people.

The film opens with an astounding compilation of statistics on gun violence around the world, which brings to the forefront a question of America's sanity and civility. Moore brilliantly explores such questions and comes up with various ideas, allowing the viewers to process the information and come to a conclusion on their own. A must-see for any and every person looking for something deeper and more satisfying than your run-of-the-mill Hollywood ending, audiences leave the movie theatre with something to think about rather than just a dazed, mindless feeling.

Derailed Train of Thought
The film is a bit scattered at times. Bowling' jumps from questioning the welfare system and its negligence to address the parent's real role in the home, to an uncomfortable interview with NRA President Charlton Heston, to an interview with Matt Stone, the creator of South Park.

At times hilarious and at others horrendous, Bowling for Columbine culminates beautifully in the end with Michael Moore's fingerprints all over it. In the end, the film leaves you with a very desirable sense of unease about the way America is headed.

Bowling or Manson
Something Bowling' delves into is the way the media and the far right so easily cast the blame for the Columbine tragedy on Marilyn Manson, video games, and the Parents of Dylan and Eric. Moore exposes how ludicrous these claims are by bringing to light that the boys were enrolled in a bowling class that morning. Could this have set them off? Were their scores less than ideal? Of course this has no legitimacy, and as Moore illustrates in his film, perhaps other targets are at an equally consequential level of guilt as the sport the boys partook in the morning of the tragedy, and not the real issue at hand.

What a Wonderful World
Bowling for Columbine makes reference to a culture of fear, and the media's willingness to perpetuate this culture. Did you know that the violent crime rate in America has actually decreased in the last decade although news coverage and incarceration has increased? Why? Pardon the conspiracy theory, but it does make sense that the major proponents and supporters of the networks would benefit from fostering a society that needs the NRA and big business to protect them from all their evil-hearted neighbors; even if their neighbors are not truly so evil-hearted but really just as afraid as you are. To emphasis this the film shows Canadians in major cities leaving their homes without locking their doors - something Americans would rarely do. Moore also demonstrates his ability to get his foot in the door of big business by going to the corporate offices of Kmart and waits around until it is very apparent the employees just want him, and the two survivors of Columbine accompanying him, to just go away. He does not leave until Kmart promises not to sell any more bullets for semi-automatic weaponry.

Michael Moore's 3rd documentary, Bowling for Columbine won the best documentary award at the Cannes International Film Festival, and it is easy to see why. He has established himself as an icon in the campaign to expose the problems of corporate America through brilliant filmmaking. Bowling for Columbine is a breath of fresh air in a barren movie market.

Related Links:
Bowling for Columbine website
Katie Joannes' website
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Comments (10):

1) Posted by: katie
April 28, 2003 1:40 PM

hey i suppose i will comment on my own freakin review since no one else thought it was a good idea. :)This is still a fabulous film.

2) Posted by: Scott Manning
May 2, 2003 8:18 PM

I'll comment on it. :)

I had never heard of this movie nor had any desire to see it until Katie reviewed it. Then it won an Oscar, so the wife and I figured we should probably quit delaying and see the darn thing.

My overall impression is simply that Moore has made an incredible documentary. It was done beautifully and was interesting the whole way through.

One of the main differences about this documentary is that Moore was trying to prove a lot of political points while he was documenting. These points were argued very well and he used great examples from real life to back up his points.

With that said, I only agreed with about half of what he had to say. Some may find it weird that I liked the movie even though I didn't agree with its points. Well, I hardly think that one must agree with a political statement to think that the statement was delivered well.

Great movie. I'm going to try and see others that he puts out.

3) Posted by: Indiana Matt
February 17, 2004 10:41 PM

Whoa. This is the kind of movie that only comes along every decade. It had the perfect combo of humor, revelant evidence, and creepy facts to make an impression. Especially during the wonderful world part...THAT was DISTURBING. While were at it though, the animated Brief US History part is hilarious.

4) Posted by: tracy
March 22, 2004 7:30 PM

This isn't just SOME movie. Its contents are real, yet very complicated. I never really knew anything about gun possessions in the United States until i saw this movie. It confirmed my assumptions; guns were practically mandatory in every American house. When Moore came to Canada, he found out that we had almost as many guns or even more than the Americans. But, he found out that the Canadian lifestyle was a lot different from the Americans. Michael Moore had heard that Canadians kept their doors unlocked because they didn't believe that they had to keep it locked. They didn't feel they had to. That was how different it was as oppose to the American lifestyle. In America, all you had to do was sign up for a bank account, and you would receive a free gun. Ammunition was easily purchased and there was no limit or age limit. Over all, i believe this movie lives up to it's winning Oscar.

5) Posted by: saba
October 28, 2004 3:40 AM

the documentarie's use of powerful techniques compelled me to believe everything that he had to say until i actually thought about the way he has positioned us to believe his version of truth. regardless, i believe that it had great meaning and touched me.

6) Posted by: marie
October 13, 2005 3:58 PM

I RECENTLY WATCHED THIS MOVIE "BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE" I BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THE COMMENTS AND OPINIONS ARE TRUE. ITS WAS A VERY INTRESTING MOVIE AND MICHAEL DID A GOOD JOB PRODUCING IT.

7) Posted by: laura
November 30, 2005 9:54 PM

what a powerful documentary! it actually filled me in on parts on the NRA i didn't know. i could go on and on about how great this film was but there is no point the film said enough for itself. i hope to see more from michael moore.

8) Posted by: kyle
May 2, 2006 12:20 AM

Everyone who posted here: you are all idiots.....think for yourselves! Michael Moore is using this as an opportunity to exploit vulnerable people and a company to further his own career of exploitation and dogging corporate America. Maybe you ignorant people should start looking beyond the fucking movie making and think about what he is actually doing/saying.

Dumbasses

9) Posted by: Dan
June 22, 2006 3:21 PM

Kyle (post #8) must be a Conservative Republican (a mad one).

10) Posted by: Evelyn
July 24, 2006 7:05 AM

I live in Australia and I had to watch this film for my English class. I now am writing an essay on it's techniques. I was wondering if anyone could give me a few pointers!?! Anyway, this film resonated deep in my heart as it is a sad topic i admit i am very glad i don't live in America. No offense to Americans!