Outrage [2009]

Year:	2009
Country:	USA
Language:	English
Genre:	Documentary
IMDB:	IMDB Page
Rating:	4.0 Rate
Collection:	Seen It Wishlist
Community:	1 Has Seen


Director	Kirby Dick
Selected Cast	Tammy Baldwin as Self
	Barney Frank as Self
	Elizabeth Birch as Self
	Wayne Barrett as Self

On DVD & Blu-ray World

DVD

Outrage [2009] - Magnolia Home Entertainment - USA (2010)

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Comments and Reviews


Twistin 11th Apr 2021		Rated 4/10 Had this been an even-handed film about the role of politicians and their power to vote on issues affecting gay Americans, it would have been fascinating. The topic is ripe for exploration and many valid points are worthy of an investigative approach. Sadly, "Outrage" is yet another partisan hit piece disguised as a balanced documentary. I am anti-partisan and have little use for the two main USA parties destroying each other, never mind their inane movies that posture their talking points into self aggrandizing set pieces. I feared this might be one of them, but only gave it a chance because the DVD cleverly twisted around the description. (Oh, I'm sure they meant well...) The film itself tries very hard to appear unbiased and untethered to any political party. Even a couple of Democrat representatives are outed. And throughout, there are some intriguing discoveries and compelling stories that keep you interested. In the first half, I believed I was watching what I was promised. But somewhere near the middle, the topics become more focused on Republicans than closeted homosexuals and their perplexing bill sponsorships. The last reel or so digs its heels in over the controversial Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This bill and its supporters are described by all interviewees as "anti-gay". Like everything else in the film, it's a one-sided issue and no defender of that bill is given the floor to explain their rationale -- which is what a serious documentary would do, expose both sides of the coin. Needless to say, every targeted politician shown are Republicans and are regularly defined here as "anti-gay" for their stance. And yet the film never makes note that the bill was signed into law in 1996 by Democratic president, Bill Clinton (who was also responsible for the "don't ask, don't tell" military policy.) No mention that Hillary Clinton also supported that bill, and during her 2000 Senate race said "...I think a marriage is as a marriage has always been, between a man and a woman." No mention that Barack Obama during his first presidential run also stated that he did not support same-sex marriage. Lastly, I have gay friends who did not support same-sex marriages, but rather civil unions which gave them the same federal rights and benefits as marriage. That stance is not "anti-gay", yet this dishonest film could not be bothered to address this because of its partisan agenda. (yawn) My issue here is not with any of the stances of the above noted politicians, it's the fact that this pseudo documentary conveniently left these important notes out because it might, I don't know, cause damage to some of their heroes? And yet Reagan and particularly George W. Bush are called out boldly for the exact same views. I didn't need to waste 89 minutes to find out that some filmmaker likes one party and dislikes the other, innovative and clever as that idea might be to him and other fans of discourse. And thus, I don't believe it's possible to find an unbiased American political documentary. Watching grass grow is more riveting (and more honest.) 4 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?

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