“An Inconvenient Truth”
A documentary on Al Gore’s worldwide campaign on the immediate danger of global climate change.
Directed by Davis Guggenheim
Produced by Lawrence Bender Productions and Participant Productions
Theatrical and DVD release in 2006

Rating: PG
Runtime: 96 Min.
Distributor: Paramount Home Video
Format: Custom, Widescreen Anamorphic, Pan & Scan 16:9, 1.78:1, Closed Captioned, Color
Features: Subtitles: English, Spanish, French,
Audio: Track 1: English, Dolby Digital 5.1, Audio Track 2: English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Region: 1 (USA, Canada and US territories)

The majority of the movie deals with global climate change lectures given by Al Gore, former U.S. vice president.

For the average viewer, it’s a good introduction to the science of climate, as well as the cause and effects of modern industrial emissions responsible for changing the environment and eco systems.

The lectures appear to be shot on numerous occasions, and are cut together for a very energetic presentation. Mindful of sophisticated audiences, there are lots of graphics, sweeping crane shots, as well as wide and close-up shots, which are counter-posed for dynamic variety.

The film makes solid points concerning the deadly danger that faces us all - in mere decades - if immediate changes are not made by world governments and by individuals. Gore presents facts and statistics, and makes an understandable, credible case.

One particularly effect sequence explained the incremental nature of climate change. Gore used the example of an animated frog reacting to being dropped into boiling water. The frog leaps out.

When placed in a beaker of cold water that is slowly heated, the frog stays until it is too late, a well-known scientific phenomenon. However, Gore put a twist to that inevitability, which was humorous, related to current climate changes, and also a great relief.

One major problem for the film was that it makes an unsuccessful attempt to run three story lines; firstly, regarding global climate change, secondly, Gore’s political profession, and thirdly, his personal stories. Rather than add to the impact of the film, editing these together only muddles the message and becomes distracting.

Further, attempting to make these science issues more personal only seems to be unsettling. This may be partly due to the focus being on Al Gore, rather than on, well, just plain people. It is hard to buy into the premise of Gore as “just plain folks.”

Because he is smart and driven, a film that was just about his personal life would be very interesting.

More critically, a film about the stealing of the presidential election - when he actually won the deciding Florida vote - would be of great value.

Three other items also tripped up the film.

Gore kept calling it “global warming.” Most scientists now see the problem as creating both hot and cold effects, so it is more accurate to call it “change” rather than “warming.”

In the close-ups it is odd to see Gore wearing full face makeup. At a lecture and in public, it is understandable he would want to look his best. Lectures and politics are, after all, a form of theater.

However, for the more “candid” scenes, like those in his office, it leads to a staged quality, which lets you know that it is not really a documentary, or candid, in any way.

Finally, the film has a list of what consumers can do to reduce climate change. Normally a good idea, however, this list is placed at the end of the film during the credit crawl. This would be the precise moment a theater audience is leaving their seats to go to the bathroom, or outrace their neighbors to their low emission vehicles.

Notes:

The director, Davis Guggenheim, has had a career since the 90s, primarily of directing and producing episodic TV shows (including three for “NYPD Blue”).

Film reviewer, Demian, is also a movie maker.