Have always loved documentaries, whether film or television, especially nature/wildlife ones where David Attenborough has always reigned king in. But 'Trashed's' subject, dealing with issues with waste and how to solve them, really intrigued me as it is a subject that today is important and relevant, even more so today than it was when it was first made and released. Also like very much Jeremy Irons as an actor, possessor of one of the most immediately recognisable and can-listen-to-all-day voices for any actor or even anybody.
'Trashed' is a long way from trash. Actually found it to be extremely good and that it treated an important and relevant subject with both force and tact, one of those instances of an environment-oriented documentary being completely riveting and leaving a big impression on me. Even if it didn't do much for me or wasn't my thing, there still would have been real appreciation for trying to address an issue that needs to be addressed and has needed to for a long time now and would also have admired it for its good intentions (which were apparent throughout).
Maybe a little bit more focus could have been put upon some of the solutions to the problems, but there is really not an awful lot to criticise with 'Trashed'.
Visually, 'Trashed' looks great with some really arresting images on display. There is nothing cheap about how it's shot and the scenery is striking while also unforgiving. Vangelis' haunting music adds a lot too, a perfect fit and fine music in its own right, and would not have said no to more of it.
Really admired that 'Trashed' avoided the potential problems that anything dealing with subjects like waste (same with the likes of pollution) face and have fallen into. One of the biggest potential problems would always have been preachiness, 'Trashed' makes a lot of points, while taking time to explore them fully rather than glossing over and reading like a cliff-notes list, and makes them with a lot of hard-hitting impact and really makes one contemplate long and hard after and feeling about acting upon what was learnt. Found myself very affected by the Vietnam orphanage parts. It does this though while approaching it with enough sensitivity to stop it from being heavy-handed, didn't feel talked down to at any point. It is also not speculative, the information is fully backed up and very well researched making for one educational and informative experience.
Irons is a big part of why 'Trashed' works. He has the perfect voice and delivery and comes over as immensely engaging, compassionate and sometimes amusing, could also really tell that he felt a lot of passion for the subject and knew what he was talking about. Have always admired how intelligent and passionate Irons comes over in his views and find what he says interesting and worth pondering on (regardless of what the personal stance is), and it is a shame that some of his views have in the past been taken out of context or twisted by dubious media sources that has caused some online vilification. Just for the record, he was right on the money in everything he said in 'Trashed' from personal opinion.
Summarising, extremely good. 9/10 Bethany Cox
