Though technically nondescript and somewhat overlong even at a mere 85 minutes (as well as a bit outdated after the recent unseating of Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze), Paul Devlin's cleverly titled documentary about the effort of the AES Corporation, an American-based global power firm with a public-spirited attitude, to bring pay-as-you-go electricity to the former Soviet republic's capital of Tbilisi is still engaging overall. The story touches upon a surprising number of significant matters along the way: the inherent problems of trying to instill capitalism in a post-socialist economy, the challenge of putting altruistic motives into effective business practice, and the effects of trying to practice honest journalism in such an environment, among others. Power Trip employs a nice variety of techniques to tell its tale, including plenty of interviews (many caught on the fly), news and television clips, and footage of company workers going about their jobs (interacting with often hostile residents, dealing with billing problems, trying to negotiate with governmental officials, disconnecting illegal wiring to power sources, etc.). It's uplifting and frightening--as well as amusing and sad--to watch the Westerners struggle to meet their business objectives in so beautiful but hostile an environment (the evenhanded film also treats the Georgians sympathetically). Power Trip may not be an electrifying documentary, but it's a solid and informative one. DVD extras include both the theatrical version and an educational classroom version, a Georgian cartoon, six deleted scenes, and a TV report update. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Power Trip
(2003) 85 min. VHS: $249.99, DVD: $295.99. Paul Devlin (dist. by CustomFlix). PPR. Color cover. Volume 20, Issue 4
Power Trip
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