Roger & Me

Watch Roger & Me

"The story of a rebel & his mike."
  • R
  • 1989
  • 1 hr 31 min
  • 7.5  (27,428)
  • 70

Roger & Me is a 1989 American documentary film directed by Michael Moore. In the film, Moore focuses his attention on the city of Flint, Michigan, which was hit hard by General Motors' decision to close its factories and relocate them to cheaper labor markets overseas. The film highlights the devastating effect this decision had on the city's economy and the lives of its residents.

At the center of the film is Moore's unsuccessful attempt to secure an interview with Roger B. Smith, the CEO of General Motors at the time. Moore wants to ask Smith why he made the decision to close the factories in Flint and what he thinks should be done to help the thousands of workers who lost their jobs as a result.

Throughout the film, Moore employs a mix of humor and pathos to illustrate the personal toll of the economic crisis on Flint's residents. He interviews former GM employees who are struggling to make ends meet, as well as local business owners whose shops have been forced to close because of the lack of customers.

One of the most compelling stories in the film is that of Rhonda Britton, a young woman who was evicted from her home when she was unable to pay her rent after losing her job at the GM factory. Moore follows Britton and her family as they move from one temporary shelter to another, highlighting the harsh reality of homelessness and poverty in America.

Moore also uses the film to critique the media's coverage of the crisis in Flint, arguing that most news outlets ignored the human stories behind the economic statistics. He points out that the only time Flint made headlines was when violent crime rates rose or when it was perceived as a threat to nearby suburbs.

Despite its serious subject matter, Roger & Me is an entertaining and engaging film that uses humor and irreverence to make its point. Moore's dry wit and self-deprecating humor keep the film from becoming too heavy-handed, while his use of archival footage and interviews with business and political leaders provides a historical context for the crisis in Flint.

The film's impact was significant, both in terms of its reception by audiences and critics and its influence on the political discourse around globalization, corporate power, and economic inequality. Roger & Me has been credited with kick-starting the modern era of documentary filmmaking, paving the way for other filmmakers to explore some of the biggest social, economic, and political issues in contemporary society.

In conclusion, Roger & Me is a groundbreaking documentary film that shines a light on the devastating effects of corporate decisions on working-class communities. Through his interviews with former GM workers, small business owners, and homeless families, Michael Moore shows the very human toll of economic displacement, while critiquing the media's role in shaping our understanding of the crisis. Ultimately, the film serves as a powerful indictment of the unchecked power of corporations and their ability to shape the lives of ordinary people.

Roger & Me is a 1989 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 70.

Roger & Me
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Where to Watch Roger & Me
Roger & Me is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Roger & Me for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1989
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 31 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (27,428)
  • Metascore
    70