Big One, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -1

Those familiar with Michael Moore's first documentary, ROGER AND ME will recognize THE BIG ONE as his continuation of a crusade against big businesses. His first film focused entirely on the devastation created among workers at the General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan, several years ago. In this one, he calls on corporations in 47 cities where some plants are closing and relocating to third-world countries. Others are using prison inmates to do their telemarketing at twenty cents an hour instead of paying out-of-work welfare recipients minimum wages. Equipped with a cameraman and a microphone, Moore requests an interview with CEOs, but only Nike's top executive grants one. This rotund, blue collar advocate, dressed in blue jeans, plaid flannel shirt and "gimme" cap, stirs up factory workers and intimidates corporate executives. He even convinces "On the Border" employees to vote in the union, and persuades the Nike CEO to make a $10,000 donation to the unemployed in Flint, Michigan.

THE BIG ONE is presented in a very comical style and is doing well in selected theaters. It deals with the problems of corporate downsizing with humor and honesty without frills of professional actors, photographers and elaborate sets. Whether or not you agree with his methods, Moore certainly is sending out a message that he feels strongly should be heard. For example, he asks why do companies whose profits have soared into the billions of dollars close plants in the United States, displacing the very people who worked so hard to make the company profitable? Athletic shoe giant manufacturer, Nike, has no factories in this country, but receives considerable subsidies from the corrupt Indonesian government to operate plants there employing 14-year- olds at very low wages. Moore ridicules Bill Clinton, Ross Perot, and Steve Forbes equally in his talks to blue collar workers. But this advocate for the underdog can back up all of his statements about numbers of displaced workers, corporate profits and under-handed business practices. Moore is dead serious about his cause, and knows how to use humor to get our attention. It is unfortunate only one side of the controversy is heard, but, except for Nike, corporate executives refused to be interviewed on camera. There is no sexual content, nudity or violence, but a few exclamatory profanities and several obscenities earn THE BIG ONE its PG-13 rating.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Miramax Films, 375 Greenwich, NY, NY 10013