A Snowmobile for George 2008
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Highway De Lux
Directed by Todd Darling
DVD, color, 94 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Environmental Studies, Ethics, Political Science
Date Entered: 09/03/2009
Reviewed by Carrie M. Macfarlane, Reference and Instruction Librarian for the Sciences, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VTA man buys a snowmobile, puts it on a trailer, and drives across the country to investigate the causes and effects of environmental deregulation under President George W. Bush. Why tow a snowmobile 3,000 miles for a movie that isn’t about snowmobiling? Many viewers might ask this question after watching a few minutes of this film.
When Todd Darling, snowmobile-owner and director of the film, drives from Oregon to Washington, DC, he encounters a massive fish die-off on the Klamath River, an elderly couple in Wyoming whose artesian well has gone dry, and a fireman who hasn’t been compensated for the medical aftermath of his work at Ground Zero. These appalling stories need to be brought to light, and movies can be an effective medium (think Sicko, Food, Inc.) But in this film, the theme of environmental deregulation hangs only loosely on the purchase of a snowmobile. At best, the snowmobile feels like a prop. At worst, it’s distracting.
This film puts a face on policies that ignore science for the sake of political profit. It makes at least a cursory attempt to share both sides of the story. Still, it pales in comparison to other films that take a critical look at government policy. It exposes compelling individual stories, but as a film it is not recommended.
Awards
- Best Documentary Finalist, Ashland Independent Film Festival