The American Ruling Class

This is an exceptional film both in content and in form.

Talking about class in America is hard. The very real role of top-down hierarchies that we all necessarily cooperate with and participate in is one that is usually shrouded in confusion (even that it exists) and to speak openly about it runs the risk of being judged subversive.

"The American Ruling Class" not only directly addresses the issue of elites in a "democracy", but also gets many of the leaders of the "ruling class" to talk about it as well (how did the filmmakers do that?). Usually a documentary on "class issues" is either a bombastic piece decrying the sins of the rich or is a clinical sociological exercise. "The American Ruling Class" is neither. It uses a fictional story of two recent Yale graduates who are trying to figure out what they are to do with their lives as a means to carry out a series of very real encounters and interviews with some of the leaders of American government, finance, philanthropy, and business. The "students" ask, "Is there a ruling class in America? And if so, what would I need to do if I wanted to become part of it?" They get some very revealing answers.

The uncomfortable edge of talking about class is muted by the fact that this film is genuinely entertaining. There are visual jokes and some nice songs that pop up just when things start to get over-serious. Rich, elite people are never presented as simple caricatures; they are shown as real people who care about America and are dedicated to keeping themselves and this country privileged.

I recommend this film as a way of introducing issues of class to friends and neighbors whether they are liberal or conservative. It is a good starting point for deeper discussions and you may find that those folks you thought were opposites on almost every political issue can find some common ground here.

If you are familiar with the writing of Lewis Lapham you will find him surprisingly gentle in this film. Here he guides two recent Yale graduates trying to resolve whether it it better to be good or to be successful. This premise is used to introduce us to some of the most powerful men in America, to hear what a few of them have to say about the elite of that country and to hear some of them lie about there being no elite. Although we know the graduates are actors speaking Lapham's words, the technique works, because these two young men genuinely represent the newer generation who, faced with the existing state of power, have to decide whether to join the status quo or try to change it. The Washington Post accused the film of being preachy and condescending, but I disagree. In any case if anyone ever earned the right to preach it is Lapham, who has used his own privileged position to check the excesses of his class, rather than to defend them.

The news in the movie, that anyone may be invited to join the elite, if it helps the elite retain power; that anyone who wants to fight this had better have a trust fund; should leave us feeling cynical and depressed, but the story is surprisingly charming. Perhaps it is from seeing Pete Seeger, alive and well at 86 still singing for freedom, walking in a country lane, encouraging all of us to tip the balance towards a more decent life for all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mock-documentary. I have chosen to review it after reading some of the reviews that completely missed the point.

The movie truly shows how the incredibly rich and powerful people rule the United States. All of the acting is staged, and shown to be this way throughout the movie.

I wish it was a satire about how the U.S.A. is run, but it is one of the truest accounts out there.

I watched Oprah the other day, and the topic involved Class structure and rule in society...and I told my wife about this film, since it does a far better job explaining what the different class structures are.

It truly comes down to the super-rich, and the rest of us. I have a very good job, and make a fantastic living financially, and can pretty much do whatever I please without money being any type of issue. However, I am much closer to the bottom of the ladder than the top, no matter how much designer crap I buy...or vacations I take...or homes I own. On the surface it may look like I have a lot more, but in reality I am in the same boat as everyone else.

This movie shows how dramatically different the 99% of us live to the 1%...so different most people are completely clueless, and will miss the point of this movie entirely.

As far as the quote Lapham gives...he's not the perfect actor, but people can use those quotes to understand what America's ruling Class truly thinks and believes.

This movie is well worth seeing.

This was entertaining, educational & humorous. Well done and highly recommended to people who still believe that there is more to life than the love of "the green". The world is in the motion of changing and our awareness levels as a global economy are heightened. It was a refreshing look at the new and upcoming and how perception can be so misguided. Traditional values are important, money holds value but people do count and there is enough to go around for everyone. Balance is the key, give back to move ahead. Empirarcal hierarchy is on a down slide and this movie did an excellent job demonstrating what the average working folk experience. Abolish exploitation and enhance the quality of life for people who put the "elbow grease" into an honest days work.

Lapham narrates and guides two young investment banker wannabees through a post-modernist adventure into the private lives and thoughts of some of the America's most interesting and powerful people. If the information that Lapham attempts to distill from this powerful and effective documentary could be related to more people, perhaps the country would be in better shape. The movie is at times sad and frustrating-the nickel and dime singin' working class dignity is a poignant revelation- but overall it is a vision of hope for the future. I am not familiar with Mr. Lapham's political inclinations, but the film achieves a remarkable milestone, clearly identifying problems in contemporary America without assigning blame. The whole thing reminded me of Barak Obama's winning attitude and the hope of an intelligent and bi-partisan, or at least meritocratic solution to the world's toughest problems. The film suffers from a bit too much cuteness, but I have never seen such efficient use interviews with people that really matter. If you are interested in politics,history, or just care a lot about humanity, this is essential viewing.