Roger and Me - A Film by Michael Moore

[Ohio Dem]

"America has an irrepressible new humorist in the tradition of Mark Twain, he is Michael Moore. 'Roger and Me' is rude, rollicking... witty... leaving the audience roaring with laughter." -Vincent Canby, THE NEW YORK TIMES

Says so on the back of the DVD case.

It also says that Roger and Me is "a hilarious, penetrating forerunner of the independent film movement." Not to mention that "Moore doggedly and hilariously tried to do what every working stiff dreams of: Talk to the man at the top."

Huh? Rollicking? Roaring with laughter? Didn't Vincent Canby of THE NEW YORK TIMES watch this movie? The person who wrote the rest of the back of the DVD case didn't see the film, either?

It's not a comedy, that's for sure. It's quite sad and maddening.

Why is this film billed as a comedy?

[Brucey]

1. Well, the Miss America contestant is hilarious, though

butchering rabbits and evicting tenants are not roll in the isles funny.

[Ohio Dem]

3. Yeah, she was clueless.

And him never getting an audience with Smith is kinda funny. Funny as in you might as well smile since it's so frustrating. The rest of it was just sad and maddening.

[BigMcLargehuge]

2. I never understood the humor aspect of it either

all of Moore's movies, while definitely presented with a cynical eye and tongue, offer gallows humor at best. Dont' get me wrong. I LOVE all his films, but I've never found them to do anything but stir up real anger in me whether that anger be directed at GM, Payday Candybars, or the NRA. I didnt' even laugh at the "I loves my gun" cartoon... it just make me angrier.

It makes me wonder just what the hell the reviewers were watching, or, scarier, if they thought the suffering that he so beautifully illuminates was worthy of a chuckle.

[Ohio Dem]

4. I suppose there is irony.

But it's not the funny kind.

[amazona]

5. it is funny in a sick way

The better half is like you...he can't laugh at all at stuff like this. To me it's a film where if you didn't laugh, you'd cry.

[Ohio Dem]

8. Oh, I'm not saying there weren't moments that were funny.

There are some funny moments in the film, be they ironic, absurd, or surreal (like what RatTerrier says about Bob Eubanks).

But to bill it as a comedy missed the point of the entire film, and I don't think its honest. I think it cheapens the film, too, by calling it a comedy. The film is quite serious. Moore isn't joking. Okay, maybe he is a little (I don't think he really expected Smith to come to Flint. And he knew he would have a hard time getting to meet with Smith.) Moore's message, though, isn't a joke.

I knew it wasn't a comedy when I bought it, but I can see people reading the back and being mislead.

[LTR]

6. The sight of Bob Eubanks telling racist jokes was a little surreal (nm)

[ronzo]

7. Roger&me... the absurd reality is the comic relief.

It sure has its moments, but it's certainly not a rollin' on the floor kind of thing. Point taken.

You guys ever see "American Movie"? Same kind of relief.

[alphafemale]

9. Unforgettable film. That family evicted at Christmas time.

Heartbreaking.