Manufacturing Dissent
1 star

written and directed by
Rick Crane and Debbie Melnyk

This film blows. I tried to be open minded about it, as is the reviewer's job, but it consistently undermined itself with it's own double standards. It makes several ridiculous insinuations, the worst of which is to hold Michael Moore personally responsible for Ralph Nadar's success in the 2004 election, and not only that, but to say that he did it intentionally to ensure his own career – because Bush entering in the White House allowed him to continue making anti-Right documentaries. From this frankly moronic assertion, it's impossible to take Manufacturing Dissent seriously.

It's major charge is that Michael Moore distorts the truth to make his point – and this is true, something that he himself admits. Anyone who sees his documentaries – which is many millions of people – knows that he is a polemicist, and not a bastion of investigative journalism. He never makes an assertion otherwise. His whole career is based on the fact that he's the fat, slobbish everyman, and that therefore anyone can think for themselves – if they can be bothered. He may actually be a hell of a lot smarter than that, but jealousy over someone's self promotion acumen is woefully transparent.

What Manufacturing Dissent is, is a mean spirited character assassination, motivated by jealousy and which suspiciously coincides with piggybacking off the release of Sicko. It paints an unflattering picture of Moore as insecure, bullying and loose with the facts, while using the exact same tactics as he does to criticise his methods. It's frankly cheap, and has the distinct stench of sour grapes about it. In fact, even reviewing it is giving it undue attention. A film like this about someone working in journalism who hadn't attained the level of celebrity that Moore has, would never have got off the ground.

The most aggravating of it's many hypocrisies, is when Manufacturing Dissent accuses Moore of turning Roger and Me into the story of his pursuit of General Motors chief Roger Smith, when the filmmakers then increasingly focus on how hard it is for them to get an interview with Moore. Something which, more deftly handled could have worked, just comes across as hilariously unaware.

Michael Moore's films highlight massive injustices in the world, and have politicised a whole generation. It is impossible to argue against his crusade with any integrity – are you honestly going to say that the fact that a bank gives a free rifle with a new account is fine because the actual process takes several weeks, not the instantaneous handing over as portrayed in Bowling For Columbine? YOU STILL GET A FUCKING GUN FROM THE BANK.

This film accuses Moore of making documentaries entertaining as opposed to austere and purely educational – and then uses his own words to back his admission of the same. It bemoans the fact that he has become a star in the Tarantino, director as rock star vein, then heaps praise on the fact that documentary became "sexy" again – thanks to him. It stars a cast of ex-friends and employer/ees – a focus group that is not going to be in any way balanced, and allows them to air their grievances on camera. It seems to be ultimately unsure of what its true purpose is. To get the Michael Moore interview? They speak several times. What exactly they wanted to get from him remains unclear.

The Right so dominates the mainstream American media with their cartoonish talking heads like Ann Coulter, that only a Michael Moore - in a persona equally exaggerated - can fight fire with fire. It's of no difference to me if or not if he fudges the facts, what matters is that he shines his giant spotlight on as many wrongs as he can, putting uncomfortable truths in people's faces in the cinema – a place where they go to be entertained. But making them think too – I mean, you knew?! Clearly this is something to be torn down and trampled on. It's way better to just not say anything, than it is to reach an audience of millions with the notion that they can affect change. Pass the popcorn.

All that Manufacturing Dissent will do is feed the anti-Moore crew on the Right and boost their numbers slightly. It is unlikely that it will sway the opinion of any other freethinking person because its methods are so inadequate. I could really go to town picking this thing apart, but in the end, it's going to be the impact of the films of Michael Moore that is remembered, not the whinging of frustrated documentarians who'd die for a piece of his audience – not to mention their ticket receipts.