Where to Invade Next Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Michael Moore goes on a really long vacation, steals other countries’ good ideas, and then blames America for not being good enough.

🍿 Where to Invade Next: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Premise: A Playful ‘Invasion’

Michael Moore, acting as a one-man army, is tasked by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (in a satirical opening) to ‘invade’ other countries, not for conquest, but to steal their best ideas for America. This sets the stage for a journey across Europe and North Africa, examining various social and economic policies.

Worker Benefits and Work-Life Balance

Moore begins in Italy, showcasing generous vacation time and other worker benefits. He interviews employees and the CEO of Ducati, Claudio Domenicali, highlighting the idea that happy workers lead to increased productivity. He explores the notion that prioritizing employee well-being can actually boost a company’s bottom line.

Education and Social Values

The film travels to France, where Moore observes gourmet school lunches and comprehensive sex education. In Finland, he explores their unique education policy, which emphasizes minimal homework and standardized testing. These examples are used to contrast American school systems, implying a need for reform and a shift in priorities.

Progressive Social Policies

Moore highlights Slovenia’s tuition-free higher education system, Germany’s labor rights and confrontation of their Nazi past, Portugal’s decriminalization of drugs, Norway’s humane prison system, Tunisia’s progressive women’s policy, and Iceland’s female presence in government and business. These examples suggest alternative approaches to societal challenges.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michael Moore (Michael Moore): The documentary filmmaker who ‘invades’ various countries to explore their societal practices and determine what the U.S. can learn from them.
• Krista Kiuru (Krista Kiuru): As the Finnish Minister of Education, she provides insights into Finland’s successful, unconventional approach to education.
• Claudio Domenicali (Claudio Domenicali): As the CEO of Ducati, he explains Italy’s worker-friendly labor laws and the benefits of prioritizing employee well-being.
• Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (Vigdís Finnbogadóttir): The first democratically elected female president of Iceland who gives insights into the importance of women in power.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Michael Moore: “I am an American. I live in a great country, that was born in genocide and built on the backs of slaves.” – Moore reflects on the contradictory nature of American greatness, acknowledging its historical injustices.
• Michael Moore: “Hammer. Chisel. Down.” – Moore’s battle cry, used as a metaphor for dismantling oppressive systems.
• Michael Moore: “The American Dream is alive and well… in other countries.” – Summarizes the film’s core message that many aspects of the ‘American Dream’ are better realized elsewhere.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,827,261
• Worldwide Gross: $4,664,756

💥 Where to Invade Next Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Where to Invade Next’ to be a really interesting and thought-provoking film. It’s funny, but it also makes you think about the way things are in America and what could be better. The part about school lunches in France was especially eye-opening. I would recommend this film to anyone who’s interested in social issues or just wants to see a different perspective on America.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Michael Moore’s documentaries”
  • “Viewers interested in social and political issues”
  • “Individuals curious about alternative approaches to societal problems”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Discussion of sensitive topics such as drug use, crime, and historical events (e.g., the Holocaust)”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “Moore’s scattershot approach is both the film’s strength and weakness. It’s entertaining, but the lack of depth leaves you wanting more substance.
• Variety: “A crowd-pleasing documentary that entertainingly and provocatively surveys other countries’ social models, ‘Where to Invade Next’ offers a mostly upbeat assessment of possibilities for the U.S. if only it would open its eyes.

Audience Reactions

The humor and wit kept me entertained and engaged throughout the entire movie.: People enjoyed the light-hearted tone and found it easier to digest complex social issues.

Overall Consensus: Entertaining and thought-provoking documentary that explores alternative social models, but some find it lacking in depth.

Awards

1. Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards (Best Political Documentary)- 2016

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s title is a playful take on the common perception of the United States as a country always involved in military interventions.”
• “Michael Moore funded the film entirely with his own money to maintain complete creative control.”
• “Moore stated that his goal was to spark a discussion about American values and priorities, rather than to offer a comprehensive analysis of each country he visited.”
• “The film’s production involved extensive research into the policies and practices of various countries, focusing on areas where the U.S. could potentially improve.”

🖥️ How to Watch Where to Invade Next?

Where to Invade Next is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Unfortunately, it is not currently streaming on subscription services like Netflix or Prime Video.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Where to Invade Next, you might like these similar films:

• Bowling for Columbine (2002): Another Michael Moore documentary that explores a complex social issue (gun violence) with a critical and humorous approach.
• Sicko (2007): Moore examines the healthcare systems of other countries, similar to the comparative approach in ‘Where to Invade Next’.
• No Country for Old Men (2007): While a different genre (crime thriller), it shares a thematic exploration of changing values and the loss of innocence.
• Icarus (2017): A documentary that starts as one thing (doping in sports) and uncovers a much larger issue (state-sponsored doping), similar to how ‘Where to Invade Next’ evolves into a commentary on American society.

🛒 Where to Invade Next Related Products

• Michael Moore’s ‘Bowling for Columbine’: One of the Michael Moore’s most famous movie, it’s also available in streaming.
• Michael Moore in Trumpland [Blu-ray]: From October 2016, this movie is a monologue given by Michael Moore at the Midland Theatre in Newark, Ohio, in support of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

🎧 Soundtrack

Where to Invade Next features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Born in the U.S.A.” – performed by Bruce Springsteen
• “Italia” – performed by Mina
• “O Canada” – performed by Calixa Lavallée

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

School Lunch France – Michael Moore

Ever wonder what kids in other countries eat for lunch? Check out this clip from ‘Where to Invade Next’ showing school lunches in France – it’s seriously eye-opening and makes you rethink what kids are offered here!

Real Time with Bill Maher: Michael Moore – Where to Invade Next (HBO)

Want to get inside Michael Moore’s head? This interview on Bill Maher’s show dives deep into the ideas behind ‘Where to Invade Next’. It’s a must-watch if you want to understand what Moore was really trying to say!

Where to invade next – Slovenia scene “Free College”

Imagine going to college without racking up a mountain of debt! This clip from ‘Where to Invade Next’ explores Slovenia’s free college system, and honestly, it’s got me wondering why we can’t do the same here. Definitely worth a watch!

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