I don’t particularly like Michael Moore. I want to like him: I generally agree with his politics, he’s an entertaining personality in his films, and he seems like a pretty cool guy. But there’s something about the man that just rubs me up the wrong way.

As a film, Capitalism: A Love Story is an engaging look at the dark side of capitalism in the US. Moore uses pretty much every weapon in his arsenal as a documentary maker in his attempt to appeal to our socialist sides: old TV footage of people getting beaten up by the police, ‘50s propaganda, interviews with key financial figures, videos of poor people weeping outside what used to be their homes. Moore walks his usual fine line between humour and tragedy, and the film is genuinely one of his best pieces of work.

I think my problem with Moore is that he tends to tug on my heart strings just a little too much, without ever attempting to allow for genuine discussion. He’s all style and little substance. Consider the opening to the film: he spends a couple of minutes comparing the US to ancient Rome, before wheeling out Wallace Shawn (best known as Vizzini from The Princess Bride, and far less known for his expertise in corporate affairs) as his first interviewee. He goes on to interview his own father.

All of this is very emotive, but – let’s be honest – we learn nothing. The closest he’s ever come to a balanced debate was when he cold-cocked Charlton Heston in Bowling For Columbine.

In many regards, and with the above in mind, the rhetoric in Capitalism is every bit as bad as the old ‘50s skits that the film so often lampoons. It is pure Obama propaganda dressed up as a documentary – a fact that is firmly nailed home by the praise heaped on President Obama at the end of the film.

Of course, being British, I tend to agree with the vaguely socialist stance Moore takes – and given how many sob stories Moore trots out, it’s difficult to find something to disagree on. However, I’m a relatively smart guy and I don’t really believe that the world is a black and white place. Moore over-simplifies his subject, and in doing so cheapens his arguments.

As a piece of entertainment, Capitalism is a great film, and I do recommend giving it a watch. If, however, you find yourself agreeing with Moore, then I suggest finding deeper and better-researched sources before you join the crusade.

Michael Moore Michael Moore Carl Deal, Cory Fisher, Kathleen Glynn, Tia Lessin, Anne Moore, Michael Moore, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein