Review of Bowling for Columbine (2002) by Michael H — 20 Jul 2012

Michael Moore handles peculiar situations very calmly and gently. He understands the nature of questions, research and philosophy that he preaches through his documentaries. He stays calm and less-imposing while asking questions from people, those who find them bitter because 'Truth is always bitter'. But he knows the impact of such questions, and asking them from people directly, is something that Moore applies rightfully. Moore keeps cool with negative reaction; he wards off embarrassment under certain situations..

Bowling for Columbine is a documentary by Michael Moore that undoubtedly established Moore an internationally known filmmaker. The documentary focuses on Columbine High School Massacre in Colorado in 1999, where Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold took students and teachers as hostages, killing 12 students and 1 teacher in shooting spree; the two committed suicide eventually. Michael Moore interviews classmates and victims. He researches why violence and killing is less in neighboring country Canada than in the United States. Moore researches on gun control policy, so-called availability of firearms and ammunition by KMart. Some people blame violence on television, movies, video-games, and EVEN Marilyn Mason, ridiculous huh (Moore disagrees with them and basically goes to interview Mason in person). Some predict that event like that enabled the then US president Bill Clinton to drop more bombs in several countries throughout the world in one day, including Sudan, Iraq, and Kosovo.

Some have criticized Michael Moore for asking direct questions from NRA (National Rifle Association) President and former actor Charlton Heston. I suppose Moore didn't actually meet him on grounds of considering him celebrity rather as president of NRA.

NOTE: It won Oscar for Best Documentary; Moore received standing ovation at Academy in presence of Martin Scorsese. Moore also blasted the then US President George W. Bush. It was unintentional to watch this film on the time when sad event repeated itself in Colorado again. My sympathies go out to bereaved families.