I ventured out last evening to check out the new socio-political documentary by Dinesh D’Souza entitled “America the Movie.” The venue I choose was the old Tyler staple, “Times Square Cinema Five.” The Theater itself was clean and comfortable. It had been many years since I visited so I was unsure what of the condition would be. The owners have done a remarkable job of maintaining it since it seems to me that these establishments last about five to ten years before they become run down and the public clambers for a new, bigger, cleaner, safer location. Times Square seems to have beaten the odds though. On the other hand, the screens are smaller, than those of say, “The Regal Tyler Rose Stadium” Cinema fourteen. (And no I did not make up that grandiose name). For those who venture out more seldom to the movies, Times Square is going to have a lot of appeal. The crowds are smaller and the experience is not as overwhelming as a larger theater. But the venue is nice nonetheless. Also I’m told the theater is locally owned so if patronizing local businesses is important to you, this is the going to be your choice.
The movie itself really has two parts. The first part investigated the assumed crimes committed by United States throughout its history, correcting misconceptions and placing causes and effects in their historical context. But America the Movie does not attempt to whitewash the nation’s historical record either. Mr. D’Souza is very honest about our historical short comings. What he does do is try to identify corrective action that either was taken, or should be taken. He also weighs our nation’s negatives against the good that America has done around the world, and found the balance falling decidedly on the side of the good. The second part of the movie traced the intellectual roots of the leftist movement which blames America for so many of the ills of the world, particularly poverty and genocide. Mr. D’Souza identifies key leaders of the American socialist thought who’ve influenced current national leadership, including Hillary Clinton and President Obama.
All this being said however, this is a really well done film. This is not one of those awkward, low budget productions created to provide a “religious alternative,” that airs on religious TV networks after midnight. Nor, I should say, is it merely shallow flag waving. It is a case for traditional and historical America. It is meant to remind us that the country’s influence has been far more positive than negative. I can’t say that I came out of the theater with a whole new paradigm about the nation and our history. What Mr. D’Souza has done is compile a whole bunch of information into one and a half hours, and present a defense of the country. So will many minds be changed? I don’t know actually. It’s possible that only those who share D’Souza’s views will attend the film. But if those who do are able to take friends who do not, well maybe some people will come away feeling a little bit better about our nation and its history. Here’s to hoping that’s true.