What's the Matter with Kansas? (2009)

Moral Quarrel

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

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Directed by Joe Winston and Laura Cohen, this new documentary doesn't rehash the 2004 book by Thomas Frank upon which it is based. Rather, it explores further, and even if it can't find any answers, at least it strikes a kind of uneasy balance. Shot mostly in 2006 (near that year's election), the movie interviews several Kansas residents. Some are die-hard religious conservatives dedicated to striking down hot-button, fear-mongering issues like abortion and same-sex marriages. Some are farmers who have become fed up with the Bush administration and the way it has damaged the economy and the farming business. Almost anyone in America can watch the film and agree with about half its participants, while finding the other half completely insane. The film provides no commentary or judgment on anyone, and even misinformation -- such as the idea that the Declaration of Independence was based on Christian ideals -- is allowed to stand without correction. But what's really special about the film is that Winston and Cohen manage to make real characters out of these folks so that you get to know who they are based on something more than just their political ideals. For example, church singer and farmer Angel Dillard may seem like a nutcase, but then we learn something about her life, and our hearts go out to her.

With: n/a
Written by: n/a
Directed by: Joe Winston, Laura Cohen
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 90 minutes
Date: January 1, 2010