"...but I certainly trust Michael Moore more than I trust the president."
Fahrenheit 9/11
Jun 23, 2004
By Michelle Hogan and Alfonso A. Castillo
Staff Writers
June 28, 2004
A sure-footed Republican and self-described "ardent Bush-Cheney supporter," Alan Wilenski found none of his other right-leaning friends and family willing to go along with his Sunday afternoon plans.
But the Alan Wilenski who stepped out of the Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas yesterday afternoon, after the 12:40 showing of "Fahrenheit 9/11," was a different man. Hands in pockets, his expression contemplative, he left with more than a new perspective. He left with three more tickets to a later showing of Michael Moore's politically combustible documentary criticizing the Bush administration and the war in Iraq.
"It's really given me pause to think about what's really going on," said Wilenski, 50, of Plainview. "There was just too much - too much to discount."
Wilenski was one of thousands of moviegoers who packed more than a dozen Long Island theaters showing the film.
"The movie was very eye-opening," said Ruth Whittaker, 47, of East Northport, who saw the film in Commack with her son Ian, 17. "There were suspicions I had, and they all came into focus. ... We've just opened up a Pandora's Box."
Despite yesterday's picture-perfect weather, the film sold out several showings in various Long Island theaters since opening Friday.
Even with less than 900 theaters showing the film nationally, "Fahrenheit 9/11" was the top-grossing film of the weekend, earning $21.8 million, according to studio estimates released yesterday, and is on pace to become the top-earning non-concert documentary in history.
The movie stirred myriad emotions among those who saw it this weekend. Some talked of crying at the sight of slain American soldiers. Others said they saw people walk out in disgust.
John Berner was especially moved by a scene depicting Bush's initial reaction to news of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks while speaking to a classroom full of children. "The look on his face really showed someone who is not in control," said Berner, 42, of Huntington.
Few, however, said the movie changed their political views about Bush or the war.
"It's just going to confirm them," said Roz Michels, 60, of Deer Park, who opposes Bush and the war. "I made up my mind a long time ago."
Michael Freed said people should see the film, regardless of their political leanings. "You have no right to have an opinion unless you see the movie," said Freed, 51, of Plainview, who caught the movie in Farmingdale yesterday. "It's the same way people want to have an opinion about this country, but they don't vote."
Many young people filing into theaters hoped the movie would be a civics lesson for them. "I know there are things that I don't like about Bush, but I don't know too much about the war issue, so I'm hoping to get some insight on that," said Charlene Miller, 22, of Lindenhurt, who described herself as "anti-Bush," but went to see the movie with Bush-supporter boyfriend Jesse Phillips, 25, also of Lindenhurst, who served in the Persian Gulf with the Navy.
"It is a biased movie," Phillips said as he entered the theater. "But I'm not going to completely just blow it off."
While many viewers - even opponents of Bush - said they would watch the film with a skeptical eye, others were willing to give Moore's film the benefit of the doubt.
"He's not making fun of the administration. He's speaking the truth," said Richard Arrucci, 68, of Dix Hills. "I'm hoping a lot of people will see it and it will affect the outcome of the election."
"He's never really been pro-Republican," said Suzanne Defree, 26, of East Northport, "but I certainly trust Michael Moore more than I trust the president."
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.
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