The Big One (1997)

On his book tour, Michael Moore exposes more wrongdoing by greedy big businesses and callous politicians around America.

Director:

Michael Moore

Writer:

Michael Moore

Stars:

Michael Moore, Elaine Bly, Dan Burns

6 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Moore	...	Self
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elaine Bly	...	Self - Random House Media Escort
Dan Burns	...	Self - Radio Personality
Chip Carter	...	Self - Forbes Campaign
Bill Clinton	...	Self - Presidential Candidate (archive footage)
Jim Czarnecki	...	Self (as Jim)
Brian Danitz	...	Self (as Brian)
Robert Dornan	...	Self - Congressman (archive footage)
Joel Feick	...	Self - Radio Commentator
Steve Forbes	...	Self - Presidential Candidate (archive footage)
Doug France	...	Self - Random House Representative
Mary Gielow	...	Self - Media Escort in Milwaukee
Bev Jacowski	...	Self - Johnson Controls representative
Richard Jewell	...	Self - Innocent Guy
Kevin Keane	...	Self - Governor Thompson's Press Secretary

Storyline

Our intrepid defender of the working man, Michael Moore, documents his 1996 "Downsize This!" book tour across the USA. Shot on-the-cheap with a video camera, we once again watch our hero interview the working man at yet another plant closing, while also trying to get past corporate security guards to interview the millionaire CEOs.

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Plot Keywords:

three word title | social activism | unemployment | stock exchange | radio broadcasting | 

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Taglines:

Protecting the earth from the scum of corporate America.

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The documentary was made in 1996 but released two years later in 1998 (although it was shown at the Berlin & Toronto film festivals in 1997).

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Quotes

Audience Member: You should run for President! It would send a message!
Michael Moore: What message? Eat out more often?

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Crazy Credits

While the film features the 1998 Miramax skyline logo at the beginning, the music that plays when it appears is the music from the older 1987 Miramax logo.

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Connections

References Pocahontas (1995)

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Soundtracks

Diesel Only Theme
(1994)
Performed by The World Famous Blue Jays
Written by Jay Sherman-Godfrey (as J. Sherman-Godfrey), and Jeremy Tepper (as J. Tepper)
Courtesy of Diesel Only Records
By kind permission of Kalamakeepsie Music/Rig Rock Songs, BMI administered by Bug

User Reviews

Exposing the indifference that is the core of corporate America

The earliest of Moore's films I've seen so far, this is definitely not his best work... technically, this is the least impressive of the ones I've seen(the others are Bowling For Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11). The editing, pacing and presentation just isn't as sharp or clean as the other two. The score isn't as ironic or fitting either. The humor, tone and 'direction' is just as good, though. This time, Moore takes a clean shot at corporate America, and clearly exposes the indifference of the common man's fate displayed by all executives. Several times in the documentary we're introduced to companies that, despite of high profits and no problems with their workers are laying people off, closing and moving factories... putting people out of work, effectively robbing them of their livelihood. As usual, it's done in Moore's fashion of outlining the facts that support his cause and denying or ignoring the ones that do not. Of course, he gets so many laughs throughout that you barely notice it... and what he says is true, at least to a certain extent. The interviews in which Moore asks all the right questions, usually very controversial and direct are inter-cut with what appears to be a stand-up performance by him, which adds a sense of closeness that means a lot for the effect of the film. Not as memorable and interesting as Bowling or Fahrenheit, but most definitely worth watching. I recommend this to any fan of Michael Moore and humorous documentaries. 8/10

Details

Official Sites:

Dog Eat Dog Films Michael Moore Official Website

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cortando Custos

Filming Locations:

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$146,909, 12 April 1998

Gross USA:

$720,074

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$720,074

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mayfair Entertainment International, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Dog Eat Dog Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1