Freedom

(2011) Freedom DOCUMENTARY

Insightful documentary by Joshua Tickell step-by-step take on America's addiction to oil, as well as the ramifications happen as a result of continuing to use it, such as how buying imported oil from other countries can also fund terrorism, and how it can also hurt the environment. We're also introduced to alternative oil substitutions from other countries, such as from Brazil and Canada. The most interesting aspect of this documentary is how oil companies submit propaganda as opposed to safer alternatives particularly ethanol and bio-fuels which is recycled grease from restaurants. The documentary starts it's road trip journey from the aftermath of the oil spill that happened on the 'Gulf Of Mexico', before Joshua and his wife Rebecca, documented their travels from state to state. Any documentary is well made if it has already answered questions that are addressed.

Unlike "The Big Fix", which I enjoyed very much for the expose that it is, "Freedom" comes off as nothing more than a paid advertisement for the ethanol lobby.

Freedom does a nice job of extolling the virtues of ethanol as a clean fuel, but ignores entirely competing alternative fuels. Where is the discussion of hybrids? EVs? Fuel cells? Anything? What about the potential problems of ethanol; reduced power, damage to incompatible engines, rising food prices, the controversial nature of corn subsidies? If JT truly believes that ethanol is the way of the future then I respect that, but let's have a discussion about it, instead of the total whitewash that this film is.

I gave it a generous rating of 3 because it's not entirely devoid of facts, however I can't ignore the dangerous one-sidedness of this corporate claptrap. Caveat emptor.