An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Review

Is it possible to make a good picture by simply filming a very good lecture? Well, if you judge from the results achieved by director David Guggenheim, the answer would be yes. And perhaps a little no. Having been to a fair number of lectures during my academic years, it doesn't take long to acknowledge Al Gore as a brilliant speaker. And his material as both captivating and engaging.

An Inconvenient Truth is first and foremost an important film. When it isn't a somewhat indiscrete semi-biography of Al Gore's childhood, the film has an important subject matter that should be passed around to as many people as possible. The film is probably more important in the United States than in most other parts of the world, seeing as the US hasn't even signed the Kyoto agreement. The problem for Americans, however, is that they are a dichotomic group: If you are a republican, the tradition is to doubt anything a democrat is telling you. Especially when it comes from a democrat as distinguished as Al Gore. One shouldn't worry, however, because An Inconvenient Truth very rarely borders on propaganda. Gore presents his agenda shrewdly, and if his film functions as an eye-opener for only half the people who watch it, it will be worthwhile.