Capitalism: A Love Story

Capitalism: A Love Story

Introduction

This paper seeks to examine the sociological nature of the film Capitalism: A Love Story, included will be the concepts created within the film. This highly controversial film was directed, written by and starred Michael Moore. The film revolves around the financial crisis prevailing in America in the late 2000 and the recovery stimulus. Some of key areas covered in this film includes the Wall Street's Casino mentality, Goldman Sachs' influence in Washington D.C, for profit prisons, poverty and low wage levels of the workers, corporate owned life insurance, home foreclosures as well as examines the religious controversy of whether capitalism is a sin and if Jesus would have been a capitalist. (reelissues.org.uk. 2010)

The film Capitalism: A Love Story was released in October 2009 in United States and Canada and seeks to examine the effect of corporate dominance in the lives of Americans. Slowly, the movie progresses from the midst of America to the powerful Washington D.C and finally towards the global financial center in Manhattan. While trying its best to maintain a balance between both humor as well as outrage, the film proceeds towards exploring the main topic of concern i.e. the price America is paying for its love for capitalism. Today, American civilians are paying that price not only with their jobs but also with their homes and savings. In this movie, Moore takes a quick sneak peek into the lives of ordinary American citizens residing in Washington and America whose lives has been tumbled upside down. What Moore finds is somewhat alarming, with a love affair gone ashtray, more that 14,000 jobs being lost every day, lies, betrayal and even abuse. On the brighter side, Capitalism: A Love Story also portrays a picture of a more hopeful future and what it could look like at the same time prompting the same question as to who we are and why we are behaving in the way that we do? (IMDb.com. 2012)

Discussion

The film opens with security footage of armed bank robberies with the song “Louie Louie” playing at the back. Moore than proceeds towards comparing the modern day America with the Roman Empire emphasizing on families being evicted from their houses whereas on the flip side estate agencies flourishing due to the increased number of foreclosures. (reelissues.org.uk. 2010)

Furthermore, the films takes a quick flash back into the golden days of American capitalism post World War II, followed by President Jimmy Carter's warning the American public of the dangers f worshiping, consumption and self-indulgence. Moore also highlights the Ronald Reagan years along with the policies of Don Regan where free enterprises are being promoted and corporations tend to be gaining increasing political power, whereas at the same time labor unions are weakening and socio economic gaps are being widened. (reelissues.org.uk. 2010)

Moore also depicted the fact that Reagan became increasingly popular for his wits, charms and communication skills instead of his effective leadership. The film then proceeds towards Captain Chesley Sullenberger's statement about the mistreatment ...