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Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth is less of a film but succeeds as a lecture
By Charlie Duerr
Posted: Aug 7, 2006
So what do you do on rainy Saturday afternoon in New York? Apparently in my case, you pay $10.75 to
see Al Gore give a two-hour slide show about how the world is going to end if us, greedy, little energy
mongers don’t get our act together. Now this choice of activities might not seem like the most ideal
way to spend one’s precious day off from the daily grind, but don’t be fooled, Al Gore is the new king of
comedy. Ok, not quite, but his film, An Inconvenient Truth, might be the most important one of the year,
and Big Al is engaging in a way you have never seen him before.
Al Gore’s film opens up with the former candidate introducing himself to his audience, “I’m Al Gore
and I was the future president of the United States.” Laughs all around, on the screen, and in the
theatre. This audience will provide a home base during the film as we see Al Gore giving his lecture,
accompanied by several interludes illustrating the origin of his quest to save the world.
I was always told that some people learn by hearing and others by seeing. It seems the case that Mr Al
Gore was told the same thing, and as a result, his slide show is outstanding. He explains global
warming in terms that even the most remedial student could understand. He smartly breaks up line
graphs and hard data with pictures of melting glaciers and dried up rivers, that let everyone in
attendance know that we do indeed have a problem on our hands. A problem that often hit home for
this American. The United States is responsible for 33% of the pollution and energy consumption that
contributes to global warming. A number far higher than any other nation, and yet we still see suburban
soccer moms driving the kids to school in their shiny new Hummer.
Without reiterating the lecture, you should see the film for yourself; it is however important to
understand what global warming is. Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the earth
naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a necessary process because it keeps our
planet habitable. The problem lies in the burning of fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal.
You can be sure that former future president Al Gore takes some much deserved shots at the Bush
administration and big oil. This irresponsible energy use, along with the destruction of forests, has
drastically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and is causing temperatures to
rise. Now this sounds like a problem all too far away, and one too daunting for mere humans to have
an affect on, but when we remember the devastation of hurricane Katrina and Al Gore explains that the
number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last thirty years, it is hard not to pay
attention.
And pay attention is exactly what Al Gore makes us do with Truth. His passion for the issue is
remarkable and his dedication is unmatched. He is a road warrior, like a struggling rock and roll band
in a beat-up van; he travels the world trying to change one mind at a time. That being said, Truth is not
a brilliant film, it is a straight ahead lecture piece with often forced and awkward interludes (too many
shots of Al Gore fondling his laptop and a ridiculous one of him on his cell phone).
However, where the film lacks imagination and fluidity, it makes up for in invaluable information and
sheer inspiration. Al Gore paints a grim picture of the situation but is optimistic about his efforts, and
his optimism is infectious. He puts it in terms that make us, at least me for that matter, believe that if
we start to take action, a difference can be made.
While the film is extortionately informative and engaging, the end may leave some unsatisfied. I have to
admit, at first I was a little myself. You say I can make a difference, but what is the solution? I asked. I
just spent two hours having you tell me that the earth is screwed and it’s because of me, and you can’t
tell me how to fix it other than a few sentences during the closing credits. I then realized after reflecting
on the film, that there is no one solution. It is a group effort that depends on everyone doing their part.
Al Gore is most certainly doing his part. He gives us the facts and paints us the picture, but now it is
in our hands. He makes us stand up and start taking responsibility. Take some responsibility, see
this movie.
### ### ###
Charlie Duerr is a Global Affairs Intern, The Atlantic Affairs.
By Charlie Duerr
Posted: Aug 7, 2006
So what do you do on rainy Saturday afternoon in New York? Apparently in my case, you pay $10.75 to
see Al Gore give a two-hour slide show about how the world is going to end if us, greedy, little energy
mongers don’t get our act together. Now this choice of activities might not seem like the most ideal
way to spend one’s precious day off from the daily grind, but don’t be fooled, Al Gore is the new king of
comedy. Ok, not quite, but his film, An Inconvenient Truth, might be the most important one of the year,
and Big Al is engaging in a way you have never seen him before.
Al Gore’s film opens up with the former candidate introducing himself to his audience, “I’m Al Gore
and I was the future president of the United States.” Laughs all around, on the screen, and in the
theatre. This audience will provide a home base during the film as we see Al Gore giving his lecture,
accompanied by several interludes illustrating the origin of his quest to save the world.
I was always told that some people learn by hearing and others by seeing. It seems the case that Mr Al
Gore was told the same thing, and as a result, his slide show is outstanding. He explains global
warming in terms that even the most remedial student could understand. He smartly breaks up line
graphs and hard data with pictures of melting glaciers and dried up rivers, that let everyone in
attendance know that we do indeed have a problem on our hands. A problem that often hit home for
this American. The United States is responsible for 33% of the pollution and energy consumption that
contributes to global warming. A number far higher than any other nation, and yet we still see suburban
soccer moms driving the kids to school in their shiny new Hummer.
Without reiterating the lecture, you should see the film for yourself; it is however important to
understand what global warming is. Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the earth
naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a necessary process because it keeps our
planet habitable. The problem lies in the burning of fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal.
You can be sure that former future president Al Gore takes some much deserved shots at the Bush
administration and big oil. This irresponsible energy use, along with the destruction of forests, has
drastically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and is causing temperatures to
rise. Now this sounds like a problem all too far away, and one too daunting for mere humans to have
an affect on, but when we remember the devastation of hurricane Katrina and Al Gore explains that the
number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last thirty years, it is hard not to pay
attention.
And pay attention is exactly what Al Gore makes us do with Truth. His passion for the issue is
remarkable and his dedication is unmatched. He is a road warrior, like a struggling rock and roll band
in a beat-up van; he travels the world trying to change one mind at a time. That being said, Truth is not
a brilliant film, it is a straight ahead lecture piece with often forced and awkward interludes (too many
shots of Al Gore fondling his laptop and a ridiculous one of him on his cell phone).
However, where the film lacks imagination and fluidity, it makes up for in invaluable information and
sheer inspiration. Al Gore paints a grim picture of the situation but is optimistic about his efforts, and
his optimism is infectious. He puts it in terms that make us, at least me for that matter, believe that if
we start to take action, a difference can be made.
While the film is extortionately informative and engaging, the end may leave some unsatisfied. I have to
admit, at first I was a little myself. You say I can make a difference, but what is the solution? I asked. I
just spent two hours having you tell me that the earth is screwed and it’s because of me, and you can’t
tell me how to fix it other than a few sentences during the closing credits. I then realized after reflecting
on the film, that there is no one solution. It is a group effort that depends on everyone doing their part.
Al Gore is most certainly doing his part. He gives us the facts and paints us the picture, but now it is
in our hands. He makes us stand up and start taking responsibility. Take some responsibility, see
this movie.
### ### ###
Charlie Duerr is a Global Affairs Intern, The Atlantic Affairs.
| (c) 2006 New Criterion Foundation, London |
| Security. Ideologies. Multiculturalism. |