Michael Moore
“WHERE TO INVADE NEXT” My rating: A-
110 minutes | MPAA rating: R
“Where to Invade Next” may be the most insidious, subversive movie of Michael Moore’s career.
Here’s why it’s so sneaky. It doesn’t insult anyone.
Instead it is (outwardly, anyway) unrelentingly upbeat, focusing on ways to make life better for Americans — all Americans.
Of course, ever the prankster, Moore takes as his modus operandi an “invasion” (complete with large American flag that rarely leaves his hands) of various foreign countries. The idea is to liberate from these cultures ideas for better living.
Call it saber-rattling in the name of peace.
The upshot of this is that even Michael Moore haters may find themselves nodding in agreement as “Where to Invade Next” progresses. For despite Moore’s trademark snarkiness (here tamped down to a gentle gee-whiziness), “Where to Invade Next” is a borderline profound experience.
Traveling to Italy, Moore hangs with the owners of the Ducati motorcycle company, where employees take long lunch hours and get at least four weeks of vacation. The company’s CEO stuns the visiting Yank by stating matter of factly that “There is no clash between the profit of the company and the well being of the people.”
Meanwhile a young Italian couple who “adopt” Moore are amazed that in America vacations are not mandated by law. Nor is paid maternity leave for new moms. They rethink their dream of a life in the good old U.S.A.
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