2008 Woodie Awards
Franken film polarizes audiences
Movie Review: 'God Spoke,' 3.5 of 5 stars
By: Anthony Barsanti
Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: LifeStyle
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"What I do isn't propaganda. What I do is jujitsu," said Al Franken, a former "Saturday Night Live" comedian, in reference to the tactics of reversal he uses against his enemies in the conservative media on his left-wing talk radio network Air America.
Directors Nick Doob and Chris Hegedus are part of the documentary trio that is spiritually led by the legendary D.A. Pennebaker ("Don't Look Back"). Continuing here with "Al Franken: God Spoke," they seem to be following one of their two main strains of interest: that of inspirational political figures - the other focuses on musically-unique characters.
Together, their subjects emit a kind of historical significance, almost as if the filmmakers are tracking the major players in human history and placing tacks on a timeline that denotes their cultural infliction.
Though most people will ignore this documentary due to the politically-polarizing subject, believers in the new left and open-minded cinephiles will most likely flock to it, hoping for either a reason to believe in Franken's crusade or for a reason to admire his gusto.
Amusing as his satiric efforts may have been - taking on Bill O'Reilly, launching the first liberal-centered radio network and pushing Kerry towards the Oval Office - the film shows Franken has far too much heart.
He stands everything he cares about in front of a shooting gallery. He says himself the only reason he named his first radio show "The O'Franken Factor" was to "annoy and bait Bill O'Reilly," the notoriously fiery host on the Fox News Channel.
Seeing himself as a martyr for the "elite East-Coast Liberals," a term coined by the Ann Coulter's and the Sean Hannity's of right-wing punditry, Franken is blind in his conviction to save us all from being brainwashed by their slanderous lies.
It is simply more interesting to watch the footage as an indifferent outsider that Doob and Hegedus have gathered over the past few years, tailing the comedian-turned-rebel-rouser on his exploits at RNC rallies, USO tours and various speaking engagements.
On a more personal level, we see whose steps Franken follows: his populist hero Paul Wellstone, the late Minnesota senatorial candidate, and his father, a Buddy Hackett fan who taught his son the importance of carrying a sense of humor through life.
In case you missed the showing at Webster or The Chase, visit the film's Web site at http://www.godspokefilm.com to find the most convenient showing.
Directors Nick Doob and Chris Hegedus are part of the documentary trio that is spiritually led by the legendary D.A. Pennebaker ("Don't Look Back"). Continuing here with "Al Franken: God Spoke," they seem to be following one of their two main strains of interest: that of inspirational political figures - the other focuses on musically-unique characters.
Together, their subjects emit a kind of historical significance, almost as if the filmmakers are tracking the major players in human history and placing tacks on a timeline that denotes their cultural infliction.
Though most people will ignore this documentary due to the politically-polarizing subject, believers in the new left and open-minded cinephiles will most likely flock to it, hoping for either a reason to believe in Franken's crusade or for a reason to admire his gusto.
Amusing as his satiric efforts may have been - taking on Bill O'Reilly, launching the first liberal-centered radio network and pushing Kerry towards the Oval Office - the film shows Franken has far too much heart.
He stands everything he cares about in front of a shooting gallery. He says himself the only reason he named his first radio show "The O'Franken Factor" was to "annoy and bait Bill O'Reilly," the notoriously fiery host on the Fox News Channel.
Seeing himself as a martyr for the "elite East-Coast Liberals," a term coined by the Ann Coulter's and the Sean Hannity's of right-wing punditry, Franken is blind in his conviction to save us all from being brainwashed by their slanderous lies.
It is simply more interesting to watch the footage as an indifferent outsider that Doob and Hegedus have gathered over the past few years, tailing the comedian-turned-rebel-rouser on his exploits at RNC rallies, USO tours and various speaking engagements.
On a more personal level, we see whose steps Franken follows: his populist hero Paul Wellstone, the late Minnesota senatorial candidate, and his father, a Buddy Hackett fan who taught his son the importance of carrying a sense of humor through life.
In case you missed the showing at Webster or The Chase, visit the film's Web site at http://www.godspokefilm.com to find the most convenient showing.
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