The concept of global warming is nothing new to me. I grew up in a part of the country surrounded by flower-child communes dedicated to returning to a more natural way of life to help save the planet. Somehow, hearing about the risks of global warming from the former Vice President of our country carries a lot more weight than hearing about it from people who preferred to bathe in their own sweat than water and smelled distinctly of marijuana most of the time. It's not just a matter of education; it's a matter of presentation.
Presentation is definitely what An Inconvenient Truth has going for it. Director Davis Guggenheim skillfully weaves an impressive presentation by Al Gore about the facts surrounding global warming together with personal narratives from the former Vice President. The result reveals a little about how Gore responded to losing the 2000 election and a lot about his interest in the condition of our planet - a subject that he has followed since his college days. Gore comes across as authentic, warm, and entertaining - all descriptions I never thought would be attributed to the man who was once described as having the warmth of a ventriloquist dummy.
Gore is clearly passionate about spreading the word about global warming, and to do that he has definitely done his homework. Graphic examples of the dangers that are causing our planet's potential environmental shift are stunning, but pale in comparison to the visuals that are offered as examples of what the predicted consequences could be if we can't reduce our impact on the planet. Aiding in the impact of Truth's message is the fact that Hurricane Katrina was in mid-impact as the documentary was being filmed, giving Gore's message a face that almost every American has been affected by. Despite that natural tragedy, Gore never attempts to appeal to the emotions, instead making his plea to sensibilities and sticking to facts instead of heart-tugging pleas.
An Inconvenient Truth may not have a powerful enough message to dissuade all skeptics, but then those people probably aren't even going to see this film. For those who do choose to watch it, be prepared for an astounding presentation that will open your eyes a little more to the planet around you and possibly even make you want to make some changes in your own little world to help ensure it'll still be livable for future generations. |
An Inconvenient Truth - DVD
![](http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/v5/img/clear.gif"){kind=spacer}
