We Live In Public was entertaining from start to finish. Too bad I can’t say the same for this afternoon’s distraction. So far I think No Impact Man is PR smut (I type this as I’m zoning out through the entire portion of the documentary devoted to “why do people hate us? wah wah wah”).
I think I got off to a bad start with it once I saw what I’ll call the “relevance reel.” It seems like every other documentary has to show you at least 3 news clips back to back about its subjects within the first 7 minutes (and oftentimes more talk show appearances and news clippings are weaved throughout the narrative). This guilt-trip doc centered around a cloyingly green family throws their relevance in your face seemingly every two minutes.
Don’t get me wrong. I would love to reduce my carbon footprint. What these people are trying to do is admirable, but I don’t believe for one second that I’m watching a movie about saving the planet. Whether it’s arguing over their strange refrigerator-substituting pot likely flown in from Nigeria or smashing flies that (oh really?) have grown in their indoor compost bin, there’s something that tells me this couple’s hearts aren’t really in it.
Every other shot is filled with green-marketed products and new conservation methods, but make no mistake. You’re not watching this to focus on those and learn something. You’re watching it to look at the nice green yuppie couple and kneel at the altar of their sacrifices.
