by D Patten
Michael Moore has skewered his chosen subject once again, sending up the violence of American culture using the guns that propel it. The movie is like his other two, a loosely-threaded collection of observations and field work. ‘Bowling’ ranges from a bizarre dog-shoots-man episode to interviews with several famous people. The title comes from the obscure fact that the two shooters at Columbine High School went to a phys ed class (bowling) before they got on with their day.
He begins with some recent acts of violence (the US attacking the Balkans, the Oklahoma city bombing) to establish that Columbine wasn’t a fluke, then goes spelunking for the reasons why. First under the wrecking ball are some stereotypes. Many of the adults in the Littleton area work for #1 weapons contractor Lockheed Martin, an obvious model for legitimizing the possession of weapons and their use in disputes. The company spokesman didn’t see any connection. Shifting gears, an alumnus of Columbine High, now a famous cartoonist, described the ridiculous academic pressure that he went through in school, and the misleading value system that he was relieved to have escaped. Then, following the massacre, some in Littleton tried to hold musician Marilyn Manson responsible, including one example of truly off the wall reasoning. Backstage at a show, Manson responded by lancing into the culture of “Fear and consumption” that feeds on itself, producing warped children. Moore closes the segment by asking him what he’d say to the kids of Columbine High. “Nothing. I’d listen.”
Moore then digs at the root of lurking, irrational fears by providing an engaging animated history lesson which no one should find surprising, which then brings us back to the current American scheme: be afraid and buy guns to protect yourself. The media and assumed values are shown to play a strong role but this tack is offset by a revealing visit to Windsor, Ontario, just across the river from Detroit, where gun violence is almost non-existent. After observing the dramatic differences in customs, Moore goes door-to-door to prove a point and emerges unscathed.
There’s much more to the movie, including some graphic footage of gun violence, like the tape from inside the High School itself. But his ironic barbs and enlightened remarks from foreigners (Canadians!) keep the narrative from becoming too dark. What one is left with is a sobering view of an America which doesn’t seem to have changed much in several centuries. The movie clocks in at two hours, but is worth every minute.
Check his website www.michaelmoore.com for more info.
Boston Area: Showing at Coolidge Corner theater 617-734-2501. Take the Green Line (C train) to the Coolidge Corner stop.
Seen the film? Have thoughts? Questions?
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