A full-scale assault on his "Broken Windows Theory" — a crime fighting approach Giuliani made famous as mayor — is where a combination of interviews and statistics make the film's most compelling argument.
As for the boredom, for me it mushroomed into annoyance a couple of times. The opening credits are flashed across a background of video footage of the Great Depression, World War II, and the Baby Boom. Why? Just because those eras were briefly mentioned apropos of nothing, really. Ultra dull/pointless footage of a demonstration in New York City during Giuliani's reign played interminably. All I could do was watch and hope, believing that this, too would pass.
Many documentaries pair fun with the facts, this one resembles a deadpan news special. Giuliani Time's intrigue was all in the interviews and statistics. Is Giuliani's hero image merely fallout from September 11? Is he just another lying, whoring politician? All things considered, this is an impressive and enlightening documentary. There were no bells and whistles to enamor me, but I had a good time watching.
Article comments
1 - bliffle
I don't know about the other Giuliani issues, but credit for his actions after 9/11 seem greatly overblown. It just looked like empty PR, to me. Oh, that's right. That's how we elect presidents these days. Never mind.
2 - daryl d
I used to be a huge fan of Rudy Giuliani and this was before 911. While everybody was crucifying him, I defended him for helping make New York City a safer place. I also enjoyed his sense of humor and liked the fact he always appeared on the Howard Stern show.
Then came 911 and Rudy's saint status, which was totally pathetic. All the man did was take pictures with firemen. I'm sure he was hurt by what happened, but it almost seems as if part of him enjoyed the September 11 events so he could make himself a saint.
I'm not a big fan of Hillary Clinton, but Rudy's attacks on her seem quite desperate. Besides, if he's going to run for the party that preaches "family values," Rudy Giuliani is definitely not the spokeperson of moral compass. Then again, with a party that represents a sex club in the West Village these days, perhaps Giuliani is at home.