An Inconvenient Truth by Davis Guggenheim

An Inconvenient Truth by Davis Guggenheim was a surprisingly intriguing one. The intrigue came from both the content as well as the extreme hype of this film. My initial reaction to all the attention (especially back in 2006) questioned the film. Were audiences just seeing this film because it’s Al Gore?  Prior to watching the film, I also questioned why a documentary film that is primarily lecture-based could reach so many viewers? This film earned $49 million at the box office, which is one of the highest grossing documentaries. Looking back in 2006, the year "played" with the idea of global warming- take for example, the August Newsweek cover that said, “GLOBAL WARMING IS A HOAX!” Obviously, the magazine was poking fun at the disbelievers. But this film doesn't "play" with the disbelievers; the film really does make believers. Anyways, I can understand why this documentary intrigued the masses. So, after a belated jump on the bandwagon, I finally watched this film.

The film was a captivating experience. I was surprised that a multi-media PowerPoint presentation could keep the audience’s attention. First, the presentation was beautifully treated with interactive graphs that provoked anticipation for the next statistics, photographs and animations also proved to move the audience. The film tactfully used the devices with the presentation to establish a “conversational” gathering. Glimpses of the audiences encouraged the feeling that we must join this discussion, and we must join this debate. The nods, and astonishment in the audience further reinforces this presentation as a current, and concerning situation. We become the audience. Al Gore is presenting and informing us. Gore effectively heightens the predicted statics in the next coming years by displaying the graph on a gigantic screen. He uses a construction elevator to get to the top of the screen in order for him to point on the future rise of CO2 emissions. The global warming animations of the polar bear and the Simpsons further engaged the audience, and simplified global warning to the basics. Perhaps, Gore's strongest trait during his presentation is his ability to make the principles simplistic enough for anyone to understand.  For example, he shows pictures of glaciers taken 15 to 30 years ago, and then compares it to a current picture. His data is chilling. We are certainly in trouble.

The film contained great balance. Director Guggenheim paired basic information about global warming with a man’s mission to better the conditions of the earth. An Inconvenient Truth observes a man that travels city to city to give this same presentation. This is revealed by the many shots that show Gore on a plane, in a car, pulling his suitcase, changing and tweaking the PowerPoint on his computer. His voice-overs are quite effective. 

There were several elements that created “voice” in the film. The film is first introduces Gore’s childhood home. He comments on the feeling of hearing the birds, seeing the leaves that rustle against the wind— the director is romanticizing about the earth (or what it once was). Later in the film, we return to this very spot, and Gore’s home has changed. The camera walks with Gore as he rekindles his memory of his home. The film also establishes Gore’s voice by revealing him as a worker. We see Gore working on the presentation. We see him meet with colleagues from China. There is truly great balance between the actual representation and the shadowing of Gore.

I didn’t feel like the film was entirely manipulative. The facts were facts. And, the facts were very chilling. Gore made the film personable with his touches of humor, and enthusiasm. It was a great film that was entirely informative with glimpses into a man and his concerns for the earth.