Movie Review: Where to Invade Next
Jenn and I are trying to become more informed both in politics and the world around us. We have a desire to watch more documentaries. After hearing amazing things about Where to Invade Next we decided to give it a go. I want to clear the elephant in the room, yes, Where to Invade Next is a Michael Moore film. Don't stop reading though. This is not as much a pushing of a liberal agenda, but instead an eye opening look into places outside of America. The premise is simple. What can we steal from other countries around the world to make America better then it already is. Seems like a great idea to me. If you find this idea, to learn from other countries to be "liberal" then I don't know what to tell you.
Throughout the documentary Michael Moore in his normal boorish ways bombards different areas of the world understanding things that these countries do really well. He travels to Tunisia, Slovenia, Finland, Italy, France, and Portugal to gleam something from each of these places. He never says that these countries are without problems but the thesis of this documentary is to learn what each of these places does well. Yes he talks about guns, and there's an interaction with a father who's son was murdered in the Finish school shooting that was one of the most powerful moments I've seen in a documentary ever.
Michael Moore also talks about education, shortening students time in school and lowering their stress levels. He looks at the amazing vacation benefits of several European countries that require their employees to take time off. One of the most profound things he looks at is the humane treatment of prisoners. Even on the lighter side of things he goes to France and partakes in a school lunch that makes you want to skip Subway for lunch and go eat in a French school.
I found Where to Invade Next to be a profound look things we can steal from other countries to improve America. It reminds me of the first episode of Newsroom where Jeff Daniel's character lists the reasons why it isn't the best country in the world. I was moved by this documentary. I know that Michael Moore can blow things out of proportion but even if 25% of this documentary can be taken seriously, there's an incredible amount to be gleamed from it. I loved it, Jenn loved it, and I think anyone reading this will to. It's one of the best movies I've watched all year.
