Freakonomics (2010)
Directed by Heidi Ewing, Alex Gibney, Seth Gordon, Rachel Grady, Eugene Jarecki, and Morgan Spurlock
**An early review...in theaters Friday**
Based off the best-selling book of the same name, Freakonomics takes economics on a pop culture spin by allowing a variety of documentary filmmakers an opportunity to explore chapters from the book in the cinematic medium. Broken up into four main segments, Freakonomics is an enjoyable watch, but it never goes deep enough to seem completely engrossing, showcasing topics in the broadest strokes possible rather than getting to the core of the issues.
In the first segment, Morgan Spurlock poses the question "What's in a name?" and does it play any role in a person's life? Is an Emily much more likely to get a job than a Lakisha? Will a Jashawn or a John do better in school? While an interesting question, the consensus is that it doesn't really make much of a difference at all. What matters is a child's economic situation and parental guidance. Is that supposed to be a surprise? There's no in depth analysis here and this middle school level lab result analysis carries over into two other segments -- one concerning cheating in the world of sumo wrestling (a segment which goes on for much too long) and one detailing the bribing of high schoolers with cash to get better grades.
The only segment presents any type of shocking conclusion (or at least one that can be cause for discussion or debate) concerns the decrease in crime across the United States during the 1990s. While trying to discover the root causes, Freakonomics writer Stephen Levitt linked the decline to the passing of Roe vs. Wade in 1973. In the simplest form, with mothers being able to choose whether or not they could effectively raise a child, when they opted to abort, it put less underpriviliged youth into the crime scene. It's certainly an interesting observation and one which is open for debate. Shockingly, however, the film presents this segment -- the most powerful in terms of subject matter -- in the form of a cartoon. I just don't get it. It certainly fits with the otherwise lighthearted tone of the rest of the film, but it does nothing but lessen the gravitas of the concept being debated.
Despite the "pop culture economics for dummies" feel that is on display here, I wasn't the least bit bored watching Freakonomics. That being said, the underlying concepts don't seem suited for film...at least not in the manner presented here Perhaps an hour-long weekly tv series on PBS would better suit the format. It would certainly be something I would watch. But doling out these ideas in 20-30 minute blips doesn't allow for the kind of thorough examination I'd like to see.
The RyMickey Rating: C
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