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Michael Moore, Studs Terkel, Garrison Keillor, Phil Knight, Richard Jewell ... see more see more... , Rick Nielsen , Robert Dornan , Steve Forbes

Comedic documentary filmmaker Michael Moore takes his film crew throughout the U.S. for The Big One, a behind-the-scenes video diary of the promotional tour for his book Downsize This! He appears at s... read more read more...everal chain bookstores throughout the nation, signing autographs and delivering wicked political commentary to audiences. Along the way, he stops at various small-town parking lots and malls, gathering brief interviews with assorted Americans. Some of his interview subjects include an ex-convict who was hired as cheap labor for TWA airlines while in prison and a group of Borders employees who organize a union. Brief celebrity appearances include Garrison Keillor, Studs Terkel, and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen. In his typical ambushing fashion, Moore makes several cleverly unexpected visits to people in powerful positions. One attempt finds Moore bringing laid-off working mothers to visit a local government official with the intent of cleaning his office to show that they want a job. In Centralia, IL, Moore visits the Leaf candy company, who plans to move their factories to Mexico, resulting in massive layoffs. The camera crew heads into their administrative offices and attempts to meet with the CEO in witty trademark fashion. Other corporate targets include Johnson Controls, Pillsbury, and, finally, Nike, where CEO Phil Knight grants Moore some dialogue. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Flixster Users

66% liked it

6,773 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

36 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Michael Moore

Release Date: April 10, 1998

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DVD Release Date: September 28, 2004

 

Stats: 274 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (274)

  • FrizzDrop
    October 28, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    The politics of filmmaker Michael Moore are very in your face, brash and uninvited. Still, his almost ridiculous obnoxious mannerisms and quirks usually make for a great watch, his grandstanding on public property and plights to meet with big business leaders legendary. His point... read mores are usually valid, his demeanor that of a figure with sound mind and researched facts, but I think we can all agree that he chops around what is true to make his documentaries. Instead of the usual narration, statistics, and actual message to bring to the American people, he lets us look at the behind the scenes action on his book tour, crossing America in a haphazard manner. You would think it would be a standard tour, just bringing out the actions of the book, but oh no, that isn't quite dramatic enough for Michael Moore's tastes. Instead he takes on every downsizing corporation in the towns he travels to, including my native capitol, Madison, Wisconsin. The reason I'm perturbed by this film over his other documentaries, is the laissez faire approach, the unknowing to where he's going next, what he's trying to get across, and who is responsible. He has a target, but for every argument he makes against something in his documentaries, there's hardly ever any suggestions to fix it. Here he wants corporations to stop moving jobs overseas, so the alternative is pretty simple. He even meets with unionized bookstores along the way. I enjoyed the comedic aspects, the belaboring care for the people he meets, and the protests of what is moral in this country. It just wasn't a part of the grandiose masterpieces I am used to.
  • bbcfloridabound
    October 3, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    From the 1997 Toronto Film Festival. As much as I dislike Michael Moore, I have to admit this film produced by him is pretty good. Shows How Corporate America, is here for one thing and that?s to line there pockets with poor and middle class folks money. Movie jobs to Mexico and ... read moreSouth America and US Prisons. Why did you leave out India Michael, have you ever had a computer that needed customer service, oh no that?s right you've gotten rich by writing books and making movies that also deface America. Ok I am off my Soap Box. Buy before I step down, Michael why don't you come to Ft Benning Georgia for a tour some day. 3 Stars. A rental Only I doubt that you will watch it more then once or Lend it put.
  • cacutshaw
    January 30, 2008
    cacutshaw
    A lot of fun for Moore fans, more like his TV show than his more recent documentaries. A lot of fun poking fun at the rich and powerful while following his book tour.
  • trisarahtops22
    September 9, 2007
    trisarahtops22
    One of Moore's earlier films, focused on Michigan but could be almost anywhere in the U.S. Great doc from him as always.
  • jmillerdp
    May 22, 2011
    jmillerdp
    I believe this is easily the best Michael Moore movie. He did this as a lark, having his camera crew follow him on a book tour. So, when he spontaneously meets people discussing their battles against Corporate America, it feels real. Plus, Moore's self-deprecating humor goes a lo... read moreng way to making this an ingratiating documentary!
  • tashagirl113
    August 9, 2008
    tashagirl113
    Michael Moore has the uncanny ability to make me cry and this film was no different. He really is a breath of fresh air and only says aloud what we all are thinking. Its nice to have someone willing to stand up for the people in this country, becaues are government sure isn't.
  • stargirlsk8r
    March 9, 2007
    stargirlsk8r
    It is really sad how people are losing their jobs left and right due to downsizing. Michael Moore does and excellent job capturing what is known to most corporations as "little guys" and the realities of how much dependency they have upon thier jobs.
  • asktom
    January 23, 2007
    asktom
    Moore is a funny and poignant man if you believe he's full of propoganda or not, it's movies like this that remind me he's trying to help!
  • chris288
    October 12, 2006
    chris288
    haaa...sequel to "Roger and ME" Keep roll'n...Watch his documentaries people..eh' YThis one's different from alot of his others though...no kidding!
  • Ash1138
    August 29, 2006
    Ash1138
    A straightforward and humorous commentary that challenges the corporate establishment and the B.S. that surrounds it. Unlike his later political agenda spewing deceptions under the guise of documentaries such as Bowling For Columbine and Farenheit 9/11, Moore doesn't use his tale... read morent behind a camera to paint a completely one sided picture.

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Critic Reviews

Douglas Pratt
June 14, 2007
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

when he's retelling his experiences in front of an audience his sense of timing is impeccable and he is quite funny

Christopher Null
October 5, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

The good news is Moore knows he's ridiculous, and he kind of makes fun of it. Full Review

Jon Niccum
December 26, 2003
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

Absolutely hilarious

Fred Topel
July 14, 2003
Fred Topel, About.com

This movie changed my life. It made me realize people have real problems, can't provide for their families and feed their kids. Any worries I have are nothing.

Jeffrey M. Anderson
January 17, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

[Moore is] a great presence, capable of whipping a crowd into a frenzy with cool ease. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 2, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

The rich are different and right now they're busy widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots with a vengeance. Full Review

Karina Montgomery
June 15, 2001
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina

Michael Moore has a special sense of people and images and how one voice over can make another image resonate especially strongly.

Ed Kelleher
January 1, 2000
Ed Kelleher, Film Journal International

Moore is clever when it comes to baiting executives who seem puzzled or oblivious to his concerns. Full Review

James Sanford
January 1, 2000
James Sanford, rec.arts.movies.reviews

If there's a serious flaw... it lies in Moore's tendency to mistake self-glamorization for credibility. Much more so than in 'Roger and Me,' he's the star of the show here, and don't think he doesn't ... Full Review

Arthur Lazere
January 1, 2000
Arthur Lazere, culturevulture.net

a manipulative, glib, gimmicky, self promoting film. Full Review

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