I'm trying to keep up to date with these reviews, but life seems to be getting in the way a little bit. So I apologize that these aren't as frequent as they could be. I plan on writing reviews for older movies, as well, but I guess I'm too busy to start up with that just yet. But anyway, here's some more food for thought:
It seemed like Cinema 10 had its biggest audience on Monday for the screening of the Academy Award Winning film "The Cove (2009)." People that I didn't think had any interest in attending independent film turned out in droves, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's the allure of the Academy's distinction. Or maybe people just really dig on dolphins and dolphin killing. Either way, I'm not sure that anyone walked away disappointed. I know that I had my reservations; activist films are often subject to some negative connotations and I was worried that this would be an hour and a half of how dolphins are the greatest creatures on the planet. Though the dolphin love provided the basis for this entire documentary, it wasn't a gushy, lovesong to our cetacean friends.
On the contrary, the documentary used a plot that at times reminded me of Hollywood thrillers, particularly the footage of the covert operation to place recording equipment at the sight of the dolphin slaughter. Much of the screen time was taken up by dolphin-trainer-turned-activist Ric O'Barry as he lamented his role in popularizing dolphins and thus creating a market for their services and meat. This film was clearly a very personal endeavor for O'Barry and the director, but O'Barry definitely steals the screen as he tries over and over again to make up for the colossal wrong he feels he has committed against the world.
More importantly, "The Cove" is influential and effective. The ending message to "Text DOLPHIN to 44144" is a little hokey and actually drew laughs from the audience, but aside from that, the film is serious and pointed, only straying from the central course once or twice. The Filmmakers undoubtedly turn the audience against the fisherman that hunt the dolphins and the politicians that enable them. And they don't have to use eerie music or menacing camera angles. Their method is simple: tell the audience that politicians are allowing children to be poisoned by the mercury that contaminates dolphin meat, which is being sold to schools as a substitute for other more expensive alternatives. Done. Instantly these people are evil mother fuckers. In the end it's all about money and corruption. The outcome of dolphin hunting isn't as important as the immediate influx of money. It doesn't matter that the industry is unsustainable and cruel and harmful to everyone, just as long as a few misguided people are compensated monetarily. Lately, it seems more and more documentaries are about the horrors of capitalism, and it seems appropriate considering the current economic climate. I don't think this is a theme that's going away anytime soon.
As I said, the movie only strayed momentarily to preach some dolphin love with a heavy dose of anthropomorphism. Is that the right word? I think so. I buy that dolphins are smart and share connections with each other, but I don't really believe that they operate on the same level as human beings. Obviously as living, feeling creatures, dolphins don't deserve to be tortured or killed inhumanely, but that doesn't mean that they are the super beings that the film makers suggest them to be. There's a great episode of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! on the subject that you should check out. (And if you're confused by my title, make sure you check out South Park Studios and watch their "Whale Whores" episode.) But what do I know, really? I suppose I could be wrong.
Verdict: Fairly Stoked, but not Stoked beyond reason. I totally understand why this movie won an Oscar. It's powerful, engaging and entertaining in the sense that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It sparks a weird sort of rage in people that are otherwise indifferent to the subject. I guess everyone can relate and sympathize with creatures that bare the brunt of greed and cruelty, though. Go see it.
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