Rating: PG
Genre:
Culture & Society
Theatrical Release: 05/26/2006(USA
Release Date: 11/21/2006
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1/DD2
Run Time: 96 min
Flags: Adult Situations
Distributor/Studio: Paramount
Former vice president
Al Gore shares his concerns on the pressing issue of global warming in this
documentary. A long-time environmental activist,
Gore first became aware of evidence on global warming in the 1970s, and since leaving public office he has become a passionate advocate for large- and small-scale changes in our laws and lifestyles that could help alleviate this crisis.
An Inconvenient Truth records a multi-media presentation hosted by
Gore in which he discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explains how it has already begun to affect our environment, talks about the disastrous consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act, and shares what each individual can do to help protect the Earth for this and future generations.
An Inconvenient Truth was directed by
Davis Guggenheim, a veteran
documentary filmmaker who also has an extensive background in episodic television.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
On the heels of
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) and
March of the Penguins (2005),
An Inconvenient Truth was the breakout documentary
du jour for 2006, setting box office per-screen average records over Memorial Day. But it was also a makeover for former vice president
Al Gore, repositioning him as a hip and accessible public servant who might actually have enough buzz to win the 2008 presidential election. While
Gore has denied having any future presidential aspirations, what's undeniable is that this man has worked tirelessly to increase awareness of his long-time pet issue: global warming. His film makes it seem absurd that these concerns were ever considered marginal.
An Inconvenient Truth provides incontrovertible evidence to even the most determined skeptics, and does so without scolding viewers or resorting to overtly partisan politics. As a bonus, it actually entertains audiences in a way
Gore the candidate never could. He is conversational, easygoing. Although
Gore and director
Davis Guggenheim cannot resist several low-level jabs at the Bush administration, these come off at the perfect pitch, and add humor to the otherwise sobering and staggering figures. With a savvy mixture of lecture footage from
Gore's exhaustive touring circuit, computer-aided scenarios and vignettes from
Gore's life,
An Inconvenient Truth does double duty: it humanizes the prospective global tragedy, but it also humanizes the politician himself.
Gore supporters may wince during a potentially self-serving recap of his loss to
George W. Bush, or when he stretches to assign topical relevance to his sister's lung cancer. But even these are handled well enough not to distract, and they provide a necessary counterpoint to the onslaught of scientific information. Whether
An Inconvenient Truth ultimately engenders long-term policy and social change, or just a temporary upswing in recycling, remains to be written. Just like
Gore's own legacy as a public figure.
~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
;)
