Michael Moore in TrumpLand

Michael Moore is one of those documentarians that I've been aware of for a long time, yet never took the time to watch anything he's done. Until now, that is. The premise is pretty simple: Michael Moore went into a solidly Republican/conservative part of Ohio (ironically, in Clinton County) and made a pitch for Hillary Clinton. You will not find any Trump-bashing here (at least no vitriol), and what little of him does feature served a purpose. Things started off kind of shaky with Moore doing an occasionally awkward stand-up routine, but once he got the audience's attention/respect and delved into his case for a Hillary Clinton presidency, things smoothed out quite well, and even got quite emotional at times. The only parts that had me rolling my eyes were some of the early jokes and a concluding stunt (I'm guessing/hoping that it was) where he promises to run in 2020 if Hillary doesn't live up to the promise he sees in her. It had the feeling of those hackneyed high school debate speeches where the candidate promises junk food for lunch (or something similarly ridiculous). Even still, he made his point very well (and positively). The technical details of the film weren't necessarily the best, though, probably due to the film's quick production. There are many noticeable points where the audio changes in quality, and some of the editing seemed just a little off. Other than that, I thought that MICHAEL MOORE IN TRUMPLAND was an effective film that made its case without resorting to negativity, and with a minimum of theatrics.

Although his name is in the title of this filmed one man show, Trump isn't in any way the focus, however Clinton very much is – starting with the large pictures of her mounted all around the stage. I had come to this show not knowing what to expect but interested by what little I had heard – and for context I was watching it on the weekend where the FBI dropped the shock announcement that they were looking into more electronic information they had found related to the Clinton email investigation earlier this year.

Moore starts his show with honesty, about not being a Clinton voter, and not being a big fan of hers. He also delivers quite a passionate piece about why he understands people would turn to Trump as a rejection of a failed system, as opposed to Hillary – the manifestation of every politician to many people. It is ironic that this bit that he delivers seems to be the clip that has taken off – ironic because it shows how bang on the money he was, but at the same time it seems to be a rallying cry now more than a reflection (tellingly the use of the clip I have heard all cut off at "feels good" and loses "for a day, or a week" etc). From here he focuses on Clinton, to sell her as a person, to examine why she is disliked and how she has been treated. Unfortunately at this point the film goes from an engaging discussion style, into very much a sales pitch.

He is not helped by events in this election moving so quickly that his thoughts are already outdated. The leaks of the Podesta emails, the discovery of more information on electronic devices belonging to Carlos Danger, and the general opening up to public view of the feelings of those around her, and the big money dealings of the Foundation – all of these things are understandably absent from the film. However, Moore also skates around some other issues too, and it does feel like he is trying to sell Clinton as a person – something she has been roundly terrible at doing herself.

I did enjoy the clips from her graduation speech, and I did take a lot from his presentation on her treatment and sacrifices as a woman, but in the end the presentation starts to boil down to owing it to her, or owing her to America. This election may well be a 'through gritted teeth' for many people on both sides, but it doesn't make for a persuasive argument when spelt out. Trumpland ends up being this though; it does have moments of interesting discourse and content, but in the end it is an emotional appeal to vote for Clinton without enough in the way of reflection and consideration of the whole picture.

This is not like producer-director Michael Moore's other, award-winning documentaries. While the opening is cinematic, the bulk of this material could best be described as Mr. Moore performing "stand-up comedy" for a movie theater audience. He sits down, too, on a sparse stage set. His language is frequently vulgar. There are a few interludes that include video, tape and photographs of 2016's US Presidential candidates Donald J. Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Moore appears to have done this film quickly, with his "TrumpLand" being Wilmington, Ohio. His initial aim is obvious; of course, Moore is working to defeat Mr. Trump. Anyone who thinks "Michael Moore in TrumpLand" is going to support Trump doesn't know Moore. He is not going to give you a "fair and balanced" view of Clinton and Trump. Moore is an admittedly liberal (or progressive) filmmaker and presents himself honestly...

What may be surprising is Moore's persuasive argument for Ms. Clinton. This is a film about her, not him. Moore's conversion includes his sometimes mixed feelings about Clinton and her long biography. Interestingly, he enlarges old photographs of Hillary Rodham as set backdrops. After all the demonic contemporary photos and older "hippie" pictures on social media, it startling to see Hillary was quite a beautiful young woman...

The main point of "Michael Moore in TrumpLand" is to garner votes for Hillary Clinton and against Donald Trump. No surprise, there. Moore treats his audience with calculated respect. As aforementioned, he is honest about his personal views and how they developed. He hopes Clinton will be more liberal in office than most assume, as was the case with the present Pope Francis. However she governs, Moore prefers Clinton to Trump...

Moore directly appeals to older white males who have suffered economically and must now live in a county where they are a dwindling minority. The voters who believe President Obama is a Muslim born in Africa, and Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Christ, are not going to be convinced. Moore amusingly siphons those voters off and goes for the voter he believes might vote for Clinton, after a persuasive argument. He separates the bigots with visual allegories by "building a wall" around Mexicans (Guatemalans count, too!) in the audience and separating Muslins into a section guarded by a symbolic drone. Moore appears to have researched his target voter very well and the film shows heads nodding in agreement. Those nods mean the staged and directed voters on screen were convinced. We will have to see if real voters agree on November 8, when the new President wins election. Everyone should get out and vote.

******* Michael Moore in TrumpLand (10/18/2016) Michael Moore ~ Michael Moore, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump

This is Michael Moore at his very best—very thoughtful and penetrating, and hardworkingly committed to fostering understanding of some of our fundamental political challenges.

I felt he did an excellent job of presenting the view that Trump's rise on the national political scene is a warranted but ultimately very destructive reaction to the neglect and abandonment of countless Americans by our economic and social order.

"Michael Moore in TrumpLand" is full of genuine humanity and surprisingly gentle humor.

I'm doubtful Moore's efforts in making this film stand much chance of having an impact on the electoral outcome, but I still think it's great that he has given us an offering of such quality.

I must say on an anecdotal note that upon being re-exposed to typical TV coverage of the election after having left a screening of this movie, I felt as though I'd gone from a sane place to a place of true barbarity. (I was really, truly surprised to find how super-barbaric what has grown all-too-familiar of late suddenly seemed.)

I pretty much agree with everything said about Moore's great ability to communicate his ideas so as to persuade his audience. While he is doing it he goes over the top to sound like the people he is trying to persuade, then over the top to show the possible consequences of their beliefs or practices. This movie is similar in that way. Moore brilliantly makes his points while filming a live "lecture" with a few films and audio clips thrown in to drive things home a bit. Even the staging of talking from a podium, then from a work desk, then moving to an easy chair, like he is talking to you from his living room, shows you the steps he is moving through in his message. Very well thought out and executed. He also uses humor extremely well, getting both political sides laughing. My husband and I laughed many times during the film. We think his points are very valid and that the manipulation he used was only necessary to get people to listen to those points and concerns.

One other thing strikes me about this film - the timing of it's release (18 days before the election) and extreme financial risk of making it in a lecture format. Very different. I wonder if folks will give this film any attention after this election? He gives scenarios for how the world will change if Donald or Hillary is elected. The scenario about Trump taking office is laid out in great detail.

Honorable mentions: I really liked the way Moore describes how differently men and women are viewed, especially in politics. I was also happy that there was little mention of sex scandals (just a passing reference to the Clinton/Lewinski scandal) and no mention of emails. So sick of both of those.

I recommend this film to everyone, especially BEFORE voting on Nov. 8, and even after the election to see if Moore was right.