Al Franken: God Spoke

While there is nothing wrong with this Al Franken documentary ... it is rather so-what, also. I don't really see what this documentary/film does new ... as with Franken I knew ALL of this already.

People bemoan "lazy journalism" and I guess one could actually bemoan "lazy film-making" with "Al Franken: God Spoke" ... although I am uncertain if that is the case here. The problem here is that there is nothing remarkable or note-worthy. Documentaries used to be about compelling subject matter that were supposed to educate the world; but this one comes out as rather un-inspired.

While I am a fan of Al Franken, I don't see why this needed to be made as it gives us nothing new and I'm also not learning anything new with this one.

There have been better docs and there have been worse docs. To say that it is terrible would be wrong; but it would also be wrong to say this one is highly important and/or necessary. I need to stress how much MORE one will get out of reading Al Franken's books than a random viewer will get out of watching Al Franken: God Spoke.

One MUST be a liberal to enjoy this; but even this liberal was un-impressed with this very-standard documentary. PLEASE ... read Franken's books or you won't be getting much out of this impressive individual (as this does him no justice).

I used to think highly of Al Franken before I saw this film. My political orientation is left and I despise the right-wing. In Al Franken: God Spoke, Al Franken and his producers make themselves out to be weak, ineffectual communicators. They make the right wing folks look like they have a focused message, wrong as it might be. There is really only one moment when this film successfully points out the wrongs of the right and that has to do with comparing Iraq with California. The remainder of this film's message is very unfocused and shows the producers and Al Franken to be bumbling idiots who have nothing better to do than follow the republicans around to moan about how wrong they are. With folks like them involved, no wonder Kerry lost! We need some leadership on the left if we ever expect to have a chance of winning. Come on Al Fanken!!! Was your brain on Holiday?

This film is not in keeping with Al Franken's excellent books which exposes the right wing's lies, lack of integrity, and complete lack of any morals whatsoever. This film simply makes Al Franken out to be a bumbling and ineffectual individual. Does Al really endorse this film...?

I've been a fan of Al Franken for years and listen to his radio show, so I quite enjoyed this film that follows him from just before he joined Air America Radio through the 2004 election. Mostly, this documentary simply follows Franken around as he gives various speeches, debates Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity, does his radio show, jokes around with various Republican celebrities, and putzes around at home.

The high moments of the film are seeing Franken debate the opposition: Hannity, O'Reilly, Ann Coulter. Most Franken fans have heard the stories and even some audio of these encounters, but seeing them on film adds something. If there's any letdown, it's that the segments with O'Reilly and Ann Coulter are too short - you want to see more. There are some slower moments in the film but it never quite drags.

God spoke to Al Franken to write a book in response to Ann Coulter, FoxNews and President Bush. He wrote the book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right". It talks about his fight with Bill O'Reilly. He signs onto Air America Radio as a host. This movie follows him as he talks to students, fans and talk about his family. Minnesota Senator Wellstone dies in an accident losing the seat to Republican Norm Coleman. He goes over to Iraq to do USO as Saddam. He follows the 2004 campaign as a radio host and is horrified at the result. In the end, he's considering returning to Minnesota to run against Coleman.

I really love Franken's book. I remember that he's able to dissect the various lies by the right wing media. It's essentially his dissection of the FoxNews bit comparing California and Iraq deaths. The book allows Franken to do that in-depth analysis. It is shocking how widespread these 'mistakes' are and how resistant these guys are to recognizing them. It is willful and deliberate. It is too bad that lies stop mattering in politics.

Al Franken may not be your cup of tea. He may not be your favorite comedian, radio talk show host, or author. His cackle may annoy you. But his obedience to bringing out the truth in important political issues shines through as his most enduring and important trait.

This documentary follows Franken during the last few years and shows the private and public sides - or make that side, because they are virtually interchangeable. What this film demonstrates is that love him or hate him, he's not putting on a show. He is passionate about pointing out the distortions, the misrepresentations, and of course the outright lies that are purported and disseminated by the conservative right-wing segment of the American media.

The film flows smoothly, keeps a good pace, and edits the boring parts out of the political backdrop through which Al constantly presents himself. It never dwells too long on one subject nor drags on with endless monologue - there is simply too much good material that the editors needed to get to.

Franken is, first and foremost, a satirist. He sees the punch line in any situation, and has a tuned comic timing that has served him well, allowing him to surreptitiously get close to his opponents, and deliver criticism with unfazed wit and vigor.

Franken seemingly has no agenda short of exposing deceit and uncovering the truth. I enjoyed this film, and believe it illustrates that Franken is not guided by idiom, or faith, or conspiracy, but by reality and his passion to broadcast it.