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Michael Moore

Twenty years after his influential debut, Roger & Me, Michael Moore returns to his roots by pulling back the curtain on capitalism to reveal the insidious role it has played in the destruction of the ... read more read more...American dream for many people. Back in 1989, auto workers in Flint, MI, were lamenting layoffs and wondering how they would support their families without jobs to pay the bills, or benefits to ensure their health. Flash forward two decades, when cities all across the country are feeling the same pressures that Flint residents were back when GM left them high and dry. With an average of 14,000 U.S. jobs lost every day and taxpayer money constantly being pumped into failing financial institutions, the question must be asked: how long can this go on before the entire system collapses? Is there really any hope for Americans who are losing their homes to foreclosure and seeing their savings get wiped out at an unprecedented rate? In order to seek out an answer to this question and many more, Moore takes a trip to our nation's capitol, engaging average Americans in conversations about the prospect of repairing America's failing, debt-ridden economy along the way. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Michael Moore

Release Date: September 23, 2009

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DVD Release Date: March 9, 2010

Stats: 4,037 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,037)

  • fb100002359227440
    November 20, 2011
    fb100002359227440
    A shocking and interesting film by Michael Moore, other terrific vision about a USA problem. Fresh.
  • thmtsang
    July 16, 2011
    thmtsang
    I love these type of documentaries. It investigates the cause of the economic crisis in US and how taxpayers have had to bail out the rich corporates. Most shocking news - corporates like Wal-Mart, Bank of America, Proctor and Gamble benefit from the death of employees because of... read more policies they have taken out in them.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    June 2, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    "This is capitalism. A system of taking and giving... mostly taking."

    This is one smart real film. This is a scary world we live in, we are ruled by an American government that can't really be trusted, but is this new? Heck no! Still the information seeing in this film is vital ... read moreand important for everyone.

    * "I sincerely believe... that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies." - Thomas Jefferson, 1816

    * A home is foreclosed in America every 7 1/2 seconds.

    * Please give generously to "Pennies for Pilots." Just look for the donation canisters next time you fly.

    * "Property monopolized or in the possession of a few is a curse to mankind." - John Adams, 1765

    * Wal-Mart no longer takes out dead peasant policies on their employees. But they still call them "associates".

    * Eight months after taking back their own home, the bank gave up trying to evict the Trody family of Miami. They are still in their home.

    * The foreclosure company has moved out of Flint, leaving only a PO Box and more unemployed workers behind.

    * "No man ought to own more property than needed for his livelihood; the rest, by right, belonged to the state." - Benjamin Franklin

    * "It's class warfare, my class is winning, but they shouldn't be." - Warren Buffett, World's Richest Person 2007


    The film alternates between a fierce critique of the status quo, personal portraits of the suffering caused by the recent economic crisis, and comical social satire. The film begins a series of security footages of bank robberies (one of the robbers was even on a crutch) accompanied by the song "Louie, Louie". Moore then uses an Encyclopædia Britannica archive video to compare the modern-day America with the Roman Empire. The film then depicts home videos of families being evicted from their homes, as well as the "Condo Vultures", a Florida real estate agent whose business flourished with the increasing number of foreclosures.

    The film then cuts back to the past "golden days" of American capitalism following World War II, and a speech by President Jimmy Carter warning Americans of the dangers of "self-indulgence and consumption". In the following Reagan years where the policies of Don Regan "turned the bull loose" for free enterprises, corporations gained more political power, unions were weakened, and socioeconomic gaps were widened. The film then cuts to the Luzerne County court scandal, Captain Sullenberger's congressional testimony regarding airline pilots' poor treatment, and the expose of "dead peasant insurance" policies that have companies profiting from the deaths of their employees. Moore then interviews several Catholic priests, including Bishop Thomas Gumbleton (Archdiocese of Detroit), all of whom consider capitalism contrary to the teachings of Christianity. The film then presents a mockery of what would happen if Jesus was a capitalist who wanted to "maximize profits", to "deregulate the banking industry" and wanted the sick to "pay out of pocket" for their "pre-existing condition", in contrast with several news pundits who proclaim the success of various capitalist enterprises as being a "blessing from God."

    The film then features a leaked internal Citigroup memo happily declaring the United States a "plutonomy" (a society "where economic growth is powered by and largely consumed by the wealthy few"), with the top 1% of the population controlling more financial wealth than the bottom 95% combined. The same report also raises the concern of "societies demanding a more 'equitable' share of wealth". Moore then interviews Wall Street Journal columnist Stephen Moore (no relation), who believes "capitalism is a lot more important than democracy". The film then cuts to codetermination worker cooperatives like Wisconsin's Isthmus Engineering and California's Alvarado Street Bakery, which are owned and run democratically by their employees, as alternative models to the current capitalist system.

    After referring to Dr. Jonas Salk, who selflessly gave away the patent of the polio vaccine for the public good ("Would you patent the sun?"), Moore wonders about how the brightest of America's young generation are attracted into finance instead of science. Moore then goes to Wall Street seeking technical explanation about derivatives and credit default swaps, only to be advised "don't make any more movies". Eventually Marcus Haupt, a former VP of Lehman Brothers, agrees to help but fails at clearly explaining these terms. Harvard professor Kenneth Rogoff similarly fails ("Sorry... I apologize... These are pretty exotic"). Moore eventually concludes that the complex system and terminology are merely there to confuse and "get away with murder", and Wall Street is just "an insane casino".

    Moore then explores the role of Alan Greenspan and the U.S. Treasury in leading up to the United States housing bubble that devastated the American middle class. Moore also interviews a former employee at Countrywide Financial responsible for their VIP program for "FOAs" and details how many members of Congress and political figures received favorable mortgage rates under the program. Moore then discusses with William Black, who analogizes the situation to the build-up of the collapse of a dam. The film then shows the series of events leading up to the passing of 2008 bailout proposed by Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson (also the former CEO of Goldman Sachs). Moore then speaks with several Members of Congress, with Ohio congresswoman Marcy Kaptur supporting Moore's comment that the passing of the bailout is a "financial coup d'état".

    Moore interviews Elizabeth Warren, the head of the US Congressional Oversight Committee, the government agency serving as a watchdog for Congress' wrong-doing and investigating Congressional "oversights" (mistakes). He asks her, "Where's our money?", referring to the $700 billion bailout money which Congress gave to the big banks and Wall Street investment companies. There is a dramatic pause and Warren replies, "I don't know." Advised by Warren to contact Paulson's office for answer, Moore's call is promptly disconnected upon recognition of his identity. He then goes to Wall Street demanding to "get the money back for the American people", but is denied entry into every office building of the major banks.

    The film then shows the events leading up to the 2008 U.S. election, where branding of capitalism and socialism occurs as part of the scare campaign, and Moore expresses hope that the election of Barack Obama might turn things into the right track. The film then contrasts the present economic reality in America with the policy of US president Franklin D. Roosevelt, who supported the Flint Sit-Down Strike in 1936. Moore also includes a long-lost archival footage of FDR calling for a Second Bill of Rights that would guarantee all Americans "a useful job, a decent home, adequate health care, and a good education."

    Moore discusses his own spiritual beliefs as a Catholic, and questions whether Jesus would belong to a hedge fund or sell short. His conclusion, which he elaborated on in more detail after the film's release, is that "you can't call yourself a capitalist and a Christian, because you cannot love your money and love your neighbor."

    The documentary features a number of positive portrayals, which include bailout watchdog Elizabeth Warren, Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans, who put forth a moratorium on home evictions, and Ohio Representative Marcy Kaptur, who on the floor of the US Congress encouraged Americans to be "squatters" in their own homes, and refuse to vacate.

    The film closes with Moore placing police lines around numerous banks, and lastly, Wall Street itself. Moore's closing remarks are the following: capitalism is an evil which can only be eliminated, in its place, a better system is that of democracy - rule by the people, not by money, and asks all those who support his beliefs to "speed it up", mimicking the famous phrase said by Don Regan to Ronald Reagan during one of the latter's speeches.
  • cosmo313
    March 3, 2011
    cosmo313
    Michael moore has a good heart, and he does his homework, even if he does do some manipulations and resort to gimmicks once in a while. All of that does apply here, just like it does with his other films. However, this time he takes on an economic system: capitalism. To me, that ... read moreseems pretty ballsy to attack an actual system and not just the institutions of it.

    Like the rest of his work, there's a mix of entertainment, tragedy, and a bit of comedy. Honestly, I think he'd make a good street preacher if filmmaking ultimately fails him. He even mentions in the film how he had at one time considered being a priest...just like another eellent film director named Martin Scorsese.

    I agree mostly with what's being said here, and I agree that something needs to be done about it, but I'm getting a little tired of Moore's schtick. It used to be extremely effective. Now it's lost its edge. Maybe he should try some new tactics or something. The subject matter isn't the problem...just the approach.

    I liked this, but it didn't seem angry enough. It seemed a bit more straightforward, yet still had some of the shock moments like stringing police tape across banls on Wall Street. It's a good moment, but the impact doesn't hit as hard as it should. Perhaps Moore should take a break for a while, think of another good subject to make a film about, then really hit it with a strong and fresh approach. Not all documentaries have to be bitter or depressing, either. He should think about that one, too.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    February 26, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "This is capitalism. A system of taking and giving... mostly taking."

    Capitalism: A Love Story examines the impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world).

    REV
    ... read moreIEW
    Michael Moore's latest project doesn't just go after Bush, or health care or General Motors... he goes after the very foundation of American economy... the system of capitalism itself. A very bold film that is sure to alienate, he gives it his all.

    I was more hesitant about this film than any other Moore has made, afraid that his tendency for hyperbole would go overboard on this very controversial topic. But, I must say, he was actually more reserved than usual, stuck to his facts, and made what may be his best film yet. That, and it has a video clip from Parry Gripp, so that can't be a bad thing.

    Alan Greenspan, Robert Rubin, Larry Summers, Timothy Geithner are presented as "people who get promoted because they're willing to say absurd things" rather than the correct thing. Goldman Sachs and Treasury Department are seen as having a revolving door between them. It is not a stretch to say that government is populated very heavily by the corporations they should regulate, be it in finance or elsewhere.

    We hear of pilots making minimum wage, having to give blood and work second jobs -- despite holding hundreds of lives in their hands each day. We are told of life insurance on employees ("dead peasants" insurance) which once covered important people but now can extend to the lowest of employees... gambling on death.

    Moore presents another idea: worker-owned businesses and co-ops. He says that democracy and capitalism are not compatible. (He uses "democracy" as a euphemism for socialism, but his point is that majority-rule democracy should not lead to minority-rule capitalism.) Is he right? I don't know... his views weren't as radical as I expected, and even if his solutions aren't correct, he highlights the problems like no other.
  • CloudStrife84
    September 8, 2010
    CloudStrife84
    Yet another great documentary by Michael Moore. Maintaining the same style as in his previous work, merging humor with tragedy and historical footage, you get instantly captivated by what he has to say. Many claim that Moore is making up facts and not doing his research right, bu... read moret I for one believe he's honest and sincere. The concrete cases he brings up, with regular hard-working people getting their lives destroyed due to the greed of others, are truly heart-rending and gripping. It's very dejecting to watch, as it reminds us of the selfish nature of people in top positions, let alone all the dark sides of capitalism. But I'm glad there's at least one film-maker out there who exposes these injustices. Not that I think it'll help much on a larger scale, but the more people who become aware of these crimes, the better. So for what it's worth, I really hope Moore keeps doing what he's doing.
  • mjgildea
    September 6, 2010
    mjgildea
    Capitalism: A Love Story, like any other Michael Moore movie/documentary is upsetting and depressing as anything else that's got his name on it. After seeing Sicko and doing a little research I realized that as much as I agree with what Moore's trying to do, the guy's not 100% bu... read morellshit free. If half of what he presented here was straight, we're doomed anyway but the fact that he slants the facts sort of gives me hope.
  • Tomassgringo
    August 11, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    I have a film maker that thinks like me!! lol My complaint is the movie becomes too much - I will prove I am right vs let me share information so the viewer can decide.
  • FrizzDrop
    July 13, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Michael Moore does it once more, with great storytelling, comedy, and no fear. Though I have always believed capitalism as the one true justice in America, it is truly easy to see how the system now works against insetad of for the people. Thank you again Michael.
  • Godless
    July 11, 2010
    Godless
    Not his best work but still enjoyable listening to his hushed tones while describing tragedy.

View All Capitalism: A Love Story Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ruth Hessey
November 5, 2009
Ruth Hessey, MovieTime, ABC Radio National

Moore is always visually playful and subversive, and even when dealing with such serious and depressing topics entertaining; but he's also game enough to examine America's mythology of prosperity. Full Review

Amy Biancolli
October 2, 2009
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Smart-alecky and simplistic? Yeah. And primo Moore. Full Review

Liam Lacey
October 2, 2009
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

As a filmmaker creating a product for a marketplace, supported by profit-seeking investors, he obviously has some comfort level with capitalism in the sense of doing business. Full Review

Tom Long
October 2, 2009
Tom Long, Detroit News

Michael Moore is up to his old tricks in Capitalism: A Love Story, and that's sure to both infuriate, and entertain and inform, depending which side of the Michael Moore fence you stand on. Full Review

Michael Phillips
October 2, 2009
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

While it's amusing to watch Moore on camera plaster the entrance to the New York Stock Exchange with crime-scene tape, when Moore goes through his customary security-guard harassment in another segmen... Full Review

Michael Granberry
October 2, 2009
Michael Granberry, Dallas Morning News

In a movie long on symbols, dead peasants are the most egregious, but a close second would be the rah-rah "confidential" Citibank memo about the United States having become a "plutonomy."

J. R. Jones
October 2, 2009
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Like most of his movies, this will probably make your blood boil, but it functions at a level of such blubbering emotionality that it might as well be a Glenn Beck rant. Full Review

Peter Rainer
October 2, 2009
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

Moore is much better at indicting culprits than providing solutions. Full Review

Peter Howell
October 2, 2009
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

The result is a film that stands as one of Moore's finest arguments. It's also one of his funniest, if you accept that the jokes are all of the gritted-teeth variety. Full Review

Colin Covert
October 1, 2009
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

With Capitalism: A Love Story, Michael Moore delivers his liveliest, most radical film to date. Full Review

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