Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

An examination of the social costs of corporate interests pursuing profits at the expense of the public good.

Director:

Michael Moore

Writer:

Michael Moore

Stars:

Michael Moore, William Black, Jimmy Carter

4 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
William Black	...	Self
Jimmy Carter	...	Self (archive footage)
Elijah Cummings	...	Self (as Congressman Elijah Cummings)
Marcus Haupt	...	Self
Baron Hill	...	Self
Marcy Kaptur	...	Self
John McCain	...	Self (archive footage)
Michael Moore	...	Self
Stephen Moore	...	Self
Sarah Palin	...	Self (archive footage)
Ronald Reagan	...	Self (archive footage)
Franklin D. Roosevelt	...	Self (archive footage) (as Franklin Delano Roosevelt)
Bernie Sanders	...	Self
Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Self (archive footage)
Wallace Shawn	...	Self

Storyline

Capitalism: A Love Story examines the impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world). The film moves from Middle America, to the halls of power in Washington, to the global financial epicenter in Manhattan. With both humor and outrage, the film explores the question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? Families pay the price with their jobs, their homes and their savings. Moore goes into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down; and he goes looking for explanations in Washington, DC and elsewhere. What he finds are the all-too-familiar symptoms of a love affair gone astray: lies, abuse, betrayal...and 14,000 jobs being lost every day. Capitalism: A Love Story also presents what a more hopeful future could look like. Who are we and why do we behave the way that we do?

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Plot Keywords:

capitalism | discontent | american culture | global economic crisis of 2008 | plutocracy | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Crime | History | News

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

When promoting the film, Michael Moore stated that he received a phone call telling him "to cool" it from a Democratic party official regarding the critical segment on Chris Dodd.

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Goofs

The film depicts a boarded-up house in Bellington, WA; there is no such city in Washington state. It likely meant to say Bellingham, WA.

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Quotes

George W. Bush: [speaking at the Manhattan Institute] Capitalism offers people the freedom to choose where they work and what they do.
Lady in Restaurant: [reading the classified ads] There isn't anything in here. I'm not going to be a gentlemen's club hire dancer either.

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Crazy Credits

The foreclosure company has moved out of Flint, leaving only a PO Box and more unemployed workers behind.

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Connections

Features Fear Factor (2001)

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Soundtracks

Score
from The Caller (2008)
Composed by Robert Miller
Courtesy of RMI Music

User Reviews

Fascinating blend of the old and the new

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was very impressed with the combination of comedy, tragedy, and historical explanation. Yes, there is a bit (or more) of playing to the camera by Moore himself--however, I enjoyed the grandstanding--kind of an investigative revenge fantasy to physically call attention to one of the biggest crime scenes ever. While the use of 1950s instructional film segments is played for laughs, other historical footage is literally breath-taking. My NY audience was utterly silent when we saw what FDR wanted to do, and might have done, had he lived longer. MY REQUEST, at least for the DVD version, would be to have more labels on the lesser-known political figures, so we could more readily identify the few, brave souls who spoke out in vain. I plan to see it again.

Details

Official Sites:

Michael Moore Official Website

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian Spanish

Release Date:

2 October 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

The New Movie

Filming Locations:

Chevrolet Plants, Flint, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$231,964, 27 September 2009

Gross USA:

$14,363,397

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,436,509

Company Credits

Production Co:

Overture Films, Paramount Vantage, The Weinstein Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min 105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1