Movie Review: Outrage at the Edinburgh Film Festival 2009 - Page 2

Part of: EIFF 2009

To balance things somewhat, on top of having footage of these closeted gay politicians who are in denial, Dick also includes real interviews with examples of those men who are now openly gay. Even if they're still very much siding with Dick on the issue (I'm sure years prior they would be strongly opposing), it's nonetheless a great addition to the proceedings. It makes it so that the whole thing doesn't just feel like a slew of accusations against people who aren't given the chance to make an appearance themselves as a "talking head" interviewee.

What Outrage importantly does it precisely state the point it's getting at; this is not in any way against homosexuals or even these closeted homosexual politicians. If these men want to live in denial there whole lives (or at least until retirement, when I sense they'll have little problem outing themselves) that's their right. But the point is - the one that Outrage focuses on - is that it becomes a problem when these in-denial politicians start dig themselves so far into their situation that they deem it fit to make harsh laws against gay people, hurting them in every way but physically. My guess would be that they do this to focus the attention off of them as gay men, but I can't say for sure, I'm not a politician. It was crucial for Outrage to make that kind of distinction - just think of the controversies that would have arisen if it hadn't.

Unlike a lot of documentaries, Outrage seems built for the big-screen. It's one to be enjoyed in a room full of people instead of on your own. It's structured almost like a normal narrative, with different sections throughout dealing with different issues, one at a time. This is just one of the many things that makes it so very enjoyable. But in its enjoyability it's also a documentary with something to say, bringing up a central concern that anyone who's curiosity sometimes gets the better of them should find fascinating. And whether you agree or disagree with the questions it raises - which probably comes down to your political views and how strongly you push them - you have to admit, it's important to ask them.

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Article Author: Ross Miller

I am a film critic and blogger, and have been so for almost three years now, going from starting my own movie review website, Movie World (which is still running), and then moving on to writing for various movie blogs.

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