No Impact Man: The Documentary

depressing

It starts out well with likeable people trying on a likeable project for a year, and for a moment there the abuse they get says something depressing about trying to leave the herd. But the guy turns douchebag, the woman into a baby craving animal and the projects ends in "Well that was fun". Not sure there's much to take from this.

Good: Easy to watch, informative, fun, holds interest. Not just one-sided, tries to show both sides. Ends with a feel-good sense. Bad: Stops short from getting too deep into any analysis of an issue or perspective when it is just beginning to heat up. Not very introspective. Just scratches the surface. Stops short of becoming great. Looks staged at quite a few places. Especially those where the wife is involved, especially with the pregnancy/baby thing. Ends with a feel-good sense.

A grimly ironic title given the often negative impact this eco-advocate's lifestyle changes seems 2 have on those around him, while, as a veteran advocate wisely points out, his year-long conversion will achieve next 2 nothing on a macro-level. None of this deters him even slightly though & if it weren't 4 marital dynamics, this would b one pedantic march through Going Green. 4tunately, the wife, internet bloggers & a mostly bemused media provide plenty of character & narrative conflict.

Hero of the film spends way too much time explaining himself. If he really wants to make a difference he should focus on bringing out the message. Still, it's semi-interesting documentary, but it just seems that the best things were kept for the book that hero of the film, Colin Beavan wrote.