The film ends on a bit of a sad note, bringing home the reality of just how politically divisive a culture we live in: UVSC student Vice President is forced to resign by his friend and UVSC President, Jim Bassi, in an effort, apparently, to appease Kay Anderson and his ilk (causing Anderson to drop his ridiculous lawsuit against the school, and at the same time almost crow over the young man's resignation). The film informs us that Joe and Jim had stopped speaking, which surely is a reality for friends and family all across the United States who hold differing political points of view.
We truly are a divided people — it's frightening sometimes to contemplate just how divided we can be. Will Orem, Utah be the same again following the ugliness associated with Michael Moore's visit? Somehow, I doubt it will. Certainly not for Joe Vogel and those who would support an opposing point of view, even in the face of insults and death threats.
This Divided State was clearly a labor of love by Steven Greenstreet and his team. I hope this film, like Roger and Me was for Michael Moore, will provide Greenstreat a stepping stone to a career as a filmmaker. It's a fine debut by a promising director.
**** out of ****
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Scott,
This film sounds very intriguing. I was on the fence about seeing it, but you have convinced me that should. Where did you get it?
Also, you have a sentence that reads, "I think the man was spinning was spinning in his grave" Feel free to have the editors remove this paragraph when the error gets corrected.
2 - Scott C. Smith
You can order the film via Amazon.com or directly from the link I provided in the review. And thanks for pointing out my typo! That's what happens when you write something in the wee hours of the morning.
3 - Ken W.
If you belong to Netflix, you can get the film there. It is one of my favorite documentary films.