An Inconvenient Truth

Review By: Andrew Casertano
AndrewCasertano@TheCinemaSource.com

Let’s be honest… most Americans (myself included) tend to disregard the caveats telling us that cars are eating up our ozone layer, causing global warming, and acting as catalysts for a series of grim scenarios. It is our ignorance that keeps us speeding down highways with “it won’t happen in my lifetime” mentalities.

In Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, he highlights the importance of being eco-conscious, and even refers to it as being ethically correct. Often traveling overseas for lectures on atmospheric problems, he explains how conservation methods are simply insufficient; Ice is melting, species are becoming endangered, and hurricanes are increasing in intensity, just to name a few.

As predicted, most of the world seems to understand and accept the consequences associated with global warming except for the United States. Although Gore mentions the efforts being implemented by both New York and California, many American-owned car companies are suing CA in fear of the state’s humanitarian efforts creating a negative effect on the industry. It’s horrifying, yet well-accepted, that our country seems to value the economy over ecology.

Gore does an excellent job of noticing our flagrant disregard, which both fascinates and intrigues me. His approach to such a devastating topic helped me realize that we are caught in a dangerous cycle, which we only fuel with gas-guzzling cars and plastic products.

There are many issues associated with global warming (depending on the angle at which you see it from) but An Inconvenient Truth was able to gloss over the major problems, making it one of most educating and informative films I have seen in a while. However, from an entertainment standpoint it was a little on the boring side.

For more than half the film, Gore is lecturing to a large crowd. He has his laser pointer, which he clicks for affect, and effortlessly glides through his speech. (Not surprising when you consider that he has addressed this topic plenty of times.)

I would compare his documentary to being in an interesting class with a passionate professor. In that sense, I wish more of my teachers could convey half the enthusiasm that Gore possesses. (But let’s not get into the need for a revolution in education… that could be a documentary within itself.)

Throughout his lecture there are a few clips of the visual affects caused by global warming, but not enough to keep me from fidgeting. I was impressed how well put together Gore was in his speech (and man did he research!)

But, what stood out for me was his emphasis on how this is a moral issue and not a political agenda. In doing so he does not come off