I got my hands on an advanced copy of the new documentary/performance film on Al Franken’s life from about 2002 – 2005. It’s pretty good.
Some other comments I’ve seen suggest that it doesn’t give you any great insight into Franken and I’m not sure that’s the point. What it does well is follow him through this period and give you a good idea on what has driven him to do Air America and now consider a race for US Senate in 2008.
If you listen to Al everyday on Air America, as I do, it won’t be anything you haven’t heard many, many times. However, if you are a more casual listener, you’ll find it very funny as you won’t have heard the bits before and he’s damn funny.
At times the film seems a bit disjointed, but it might because some of the scenes were in Left on the Dial on HBO so those who have seen it will recognize those moments all centering around Air America.
However, there are several interesting scenes with him speaking to different groups and I found those the most compelling. He speaks the most honestly and urgently at those times.
It also provides the best context for his running feud with O’Reilly who hasn’t looked so foolish since OutFoxed.
If you are a fan and listen all the time, some moments will seem a bit slow, but still worth it since it’s more Al. If you are the more casual listener, I think it would be a great film to watch and to follow how his political career has evolved through several years of George Bush and quite funny. I’d definitely go see it. It opens today in New York and depending on how it does, it will spread across the country–on September 29th.