An Inconvenient Truth

Al Gore

review by Demian

For the average viewer, this film is a good introduction to the science of climate, as well as to the cause and effects of modern industrial emissions responsible for changing the environment and ecosystems.

Former US Vice-President Al Gore makes solid points concerning the deadly danger that faces us all--in mere decades--if immediate changes are not made by world governments and by individuals. Gore presents facts and statistics, and makes an understandable, credible case.

One particularly effect sequence explains the incremental nature of climate change. Gore used the example of an animated frog reacting to being dropped into boiling water. The frog leaps out. When placed in a beaker of cold water that is slowly heated, the frog stays until it is too late, a well-known phenomenon. Gore, however, adds a humorous and relieving twist to that inevitability.

One major problem for the film was that it makes an unsuccessful attempt to run three storylines: first, regarding global climate change; second, Gore's political profession; and third, his personal history. Rather than add to the impact of the film, editing these together only muddles the message and becomes distracting.

Also, attempting to make these science issues more personal only seems to be unsettling. This may be partly due to the focus being on Al Gore, rather than on, well, just plain people. It is hard to buy into the premise of Gore as "just plain folks."

Because Gore is smart and driven, a film that was exclusively about his personal life would in itself have been very interesting. More critically, a film about the stealing of the year 2000 presidential election--when he actually won the deciding Florida vote--would be of great value.

Three other items also tripped up the film.

Gore kept calling it "global warming." Most scientists now see the problem as creating both hot and cold effects, so it is more accurate to call it "climate change" rather than "warming."

In the close-ups it is odd to see Gore wearing full face makeup. At a lecture and in public, it is understandable he would want to look his best. Lectures and politics are, after all, a form of theater.

However, for the more "candid" scenes, like those in his office, it leads to a staged quality, which lets you know that it is not really a documentary or candid in any way.

Finally, the film has a list of what consumers can do to reduce climate change. However, this list is placed at the end of the film during the credit crawl. This would be the precise moment a theater audience is leaving their seats to go to the bathroom, or outrace their neighbors to their low-emission cars.

The director, Davis Guggenheim, has had a career--primarily of directing and producing episodic TV shows (including three for "NYPD Blue")--since the 90s. The Gore lectures, comprising the bulk of the film, appear to be shot on numerous occasions, and are cut together for a very energetic presentation. A sophisticated production, the film includes lots of graphics, sweeping crane shots, as well as wide and close-up shots, which are counter-posed for dynamic variety.

The official "An Inconvenient Truth" website ( www.climatecrisis.net ) has numerous ideas for reducing emissions. Among the many is a list of ten suggestions (well, maybe consider doing nine of them): Change a light. Drive less. Recycle more. Check your tires. Use less hot water. Avoid products with a lot of packaging. Adjust your thermostat. Plant a tree. Turn off electrical devices. The tenth suggestion is a gratuitous plug for buying the movie on DVD.

Film Review (c) 2006, Demian, a Seattle-based film and video maker. See www.buddybuddy.com/sweet.html .