Outrage

Hypocrisy is the mother's milk of politics. Kirby Dick focuses on a particularly reprehensible example in his documentary about closeted gay officials who promote anti-gay agendas out of either professional calculation or psychological denial. Outrage starts with Senator Larry Craig, the ostensibly rock-ribbed Idaho Republican whose arrest for solicitation in a Minneapolis airport restroom quickly became a joke when he refused to admit the facts. But although that case is the touchstone—others involve Louisiana congressman Jim McCrery, California congressman David Dreier, behind-the-scenes GOP organizer Ken Mehlman, Mayor Ed Koch of New York, and Governor Jim McGreevey of New Jersey (Florida congressman Mark Foley is given shorter shrift)—the real focus here is on investigators such as Mike Rogers, who works to out gay politicians whose votes don't match their personal lives. Dick also questions why mainstream media are so reluctant to publicize such incongruities, particularly during an extensive treatment of Florida governor (now senatorial candidate and prospective presidential aspirant) Charlie Crist, around whom suspicion has swirled for years. Hopeful interviews with politicians who have come out, such as Arizona congressman Jim Kolbe, offer a welcome contrast to the catalogue of deception. Outrage is clearly an activist piece of filmmaking, but cleverly put together and highly enjoyable. After all, it's always fun to see liars get their just deserts, even if they're lying to themselves. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Kirby Dick and producer Amy Ziering, a “Tribeca Film Festival Q&A” segment (32 min.), a “Rodger McFarlane Tribute” to the gay rights activist (11 min.), deleted scenes (9 min.), a Q&A with Dick from the Washington, DC screening (9 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning documentary.] (F. Swietek)