Albert Nerenberg's documentary Stupidity alleges—like Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind—that American culture has been dumbed down: not just from a popular entertainment standpoint (although a quick scan of the TV channels and multiplex marquee will confirm a conspicuous lack of cerebral fare), but also in academia, the workforce, and politics—with the latter characterized by the current occupant of the Oval Office. The film provides plenty of standard talking-head commentary (Noam Chomsky, the avatar of the Bush-bashing documentaries, is front and center), much of it unenlightening, but with some pleasant surprises (Salma Hayek, Bill Maher, and a particularly frisky John Cleese offer delightful input). But at 77 minutes, Stupidity bogs down into tiresome repetition—how many times does the viewer need to be told that we are living in a stupid society? Plus, the film makes the lethal mistake of confusing deliberately lowbrow entertainment with national idiocy. The seemingly imbecilic cast of MTV's Jackass are clearly playing the fools successfully, not unlike Ed Wynn, the Three Stooges, or Jerry Lewis, who all coaxed laughs from earlier generations with their well-rehearsed buffoonery. But comparing Jackass's Steve-O to George W. Bush is a chalk-and-cheese match-up, since one is getting paid to behave like a dope for the cameras while the other...well, never mind. DVD extras include audio commentary by the director, and additional interview footage. Optional. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Stupidity
(2006) 77 min. DVD: $19.95. The Disinformation Company (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. ISBN: 1-932857-51-6. Volume 21, Issue 6
Stupidity
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