Film Analysis of Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore

Film Analysis of Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore

'Bowling for Columbine', directed by Michael Moore, deals with the

problems of gun crime in America. The main purpose of this film is to

persuade American people to change their ideas about guns and gun

laws. Moore constantly refers to other countries such as Canada and

their gun policies to back up his arguments for increased gun

regulation. He is successfully able to counter argue any reason given

by pro gun supporters as to the reason why America has the highest gun

related crimes and death, even though other countries have similar

attitudes towards violence. The scenes that have been selected focus

on different aspects of the film, which present Moore's ability to

persuade his audience into his way of viewing gun crime.

Michael Moore has used a variety of techniques in the ?A wonderful

World? scene to influence the audience into siding with his views and

to portray America as a destructive force to other countries.

The sequencing of the scene ?A Wonderful World? is very effective. The

scene before the clip is very ironic as it shows the Lockheed Martin,

which is the largest weapons producer in America. The Lockheed Martin

spokesman is standing in front of A missile and is talking about

America as a protector of the world. Yet, immediately after this, the

man claims that America is not an aggressor, the film is launched into

the scenes which entirely contradict his claims. This is a successful

use of persuasive technique as the audience will now trust what Moore

has to say rather tha...

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... either that the NRA and the Klan were parallel

groups or that when the Klan was outlawed its members formed the NRA.

Both are completely wrong however this is effective as it illustrates

that since the KKK was evil, that the NRA is also evil as it is made

up of the same members or that both groups have the same belief.

Moore is able to use a number of persuasive techniques in the three

scenes from Bowling for Columbine to express his views on gun laws.

The moods of these three scenes vary considerably, from humour, to

serious to sarcasm and irony. By appealing to different types of

emotions, the audience is able to connect with Moore effectively. As

well as this, by feeling humorous or sad when Moore intends the

audience to be, the viewers immediately, whether intentionally or

unintentionally side with Moore?s view.