An Inconvenient Truth parents guide

An Inconvenient Truth Parent Guide

Overall B+

Is global warming a real threat or a fabrication? In this controversial documentary, former politician Al Gore passionately details his concern for our world and why he feels we must make changes now.

Release date May 23, 2006

Violence B
Sexual Content A
Profanity A-
Substance Use A

Why is An Inconvenient Truth rated PG? The MPAA rated An Inconvenient Truth PG for mild thematic elements.

Run Time: 100 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Regardless of your political leanings or your interpretation of the scientific evidence, it’s hard to refute Al Gore’s passion for environmental issues, particularly global warming. Since losing the 2000 American presidential race to George W. Bush during a highly debated election, Gore has refocused his efforts and traveled around the world speaking on the topic.

Now he’s put his Power Point presentation on film, presumably to augment his ability to get the message out to more people. The documentary, directed by Davis Guggenheim, depicts Gore addressing a crowd of rapt audience members in a darkened hall. Cut into the lecture are clips of the former politician talking openly about family tragedies including the death of his older sister and his son’s serious injuries following an automobile accident. Gore also wanders through the picturesque Tennessee countryside where he grew up as a child. That tie to the land seems to have sparked his passion for the natural world.

Gore relies on slick charts, moving graphs, an occasional joke and even cartoon characters to convince viewers of the validity of the scientific findings. Although some will debate the conclusions, changing weather patterns, glacial melting and the disappearance of huge bodies of water still indicate some disturbing worldwide environmental trends.

At one point, Gore gives into self-indulgence, reflecting on his disappointing political loss. As well, he turns the camera on the current administration, commenting on what he considers a lack of political will. Unfortunately, making this a political issue only adds to the controversy and takes the focus off the problem.

Gore hammers home his point-of-view for nearly an hour and a half before getting to the real crux of the presentation—what people can do. And after seeing chart upon chart of radically rising carbon dioxide levels, it’s nearly inconceivable anything can be done to reverse the process. When Gore does finally get around to suggestions for individual, community and countrywide changes, they come across as almost an afterthought, mostly rolling during the film’s credits when audience members are walking out.

Unfortunately, pigeonholing this film as a political rant rather than a discussion starter is a disservice to the documentary. On an issue of this magnitude it’s easy to pick political sides—blaming governments, abdicating one’s personal responsibility or jumping blindly on a bandwagon—instead of taking a candid and informed look at both sides of the debate. Agree with him or not, Gore puts his personal clout to work for a purpose he believes in. Now all he needs to do is trade in the limo we see him riding around in for a more efficient compact car.

Starring Al Gore. Running time: 100 minutes. Theatrical release May 23, 2006. Updated

An Inconvenient Truth
Rating & Content Info

Why is An Inconvenient Truth rated PG? An Inconvenient Truth is rated PG by the MPAA for mild thematic elements.

During the presentation, Gore talks about his son who was seriously hurt in a traffic accident and his older sister who died of lung cancer. There are scenes of human suffering, dead bodies and mass destruction caused by severe weather such as drought, flood and hurricanes.

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An Inconvenient Truth Parents' Guide

What scientific evidence does Gore use in his presentation? Can statistics be modified to fit a speaker’s objectives? How do you determine if his information is correct?

What does Gore mean when he says it is our moral imperative to make big changes?

Are individual efforts important in affecting global change? What things could you do to help save the planet? For suggestions, check out http://www.climatecrisis.net.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of An Inconvenient Truth movie is November 21, 2006. Here are some details…

For more Inconvenient Truth, check out the DVD release of this documentary that includes two commentaries (one by director Davis Guggenheim, the other by producers Laurie David, Lawrence Bender, Scott Z. Burns and Lesley Chilcott), one making-of featurette, and the music video of Melissa Etherige’s I Need to Wake Up. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround Sound Stereo), with English and French subtitles.

Related home video titles:

Environmental changes affect the yearly journey of Emperor Penguins in the South Pole in the documentary March of the Penguins. In fictional films, meteorologists chase tornadoes across the Midwest in an effort to study the eye of the storm in Twister. A sudden temperature drop triggers an ice age that covers much of North American in the film The Day After Tomorrow.