With Michael Moore producing such one sided documentaries he must have known there would be a backlash. This movie is one of those. It doesn't take the same harsh tone and employ the scare tactics that Moore himself has become famous for (ironically at the same time for imploring his enemies for their use of such methods.) The focus begins back in his high school days and pieces together his life up until the time of the 2004 elections in which he was so active. When it becomes apparent that Moore's first documentary, Roger and Me all about trying to secure an interview with Roger based on General Motors in Michigan did actually obtain two interviews which were left on the cutting room floor, it becomes apparent just how far the truth has been stretched over the years. When watching Bowling for Columbine or Fahrenheit 9/11 you can visibly see Moore pulling the audiences strings as if they were marionettes. Yet the fact it is so obvious makes it acceptable, until people uncovered just how far he bent the 'truth.'
Even if it is interesting to see lies and manipulations which weren't obvious in Moore's documentary, you do find yourself in a paradox of questioning if you can fully believe either side. Like the politics he criticizes you can be left not believing that either side is 100% truth.
Manufacturing Dissent gives us the reminder that you must always take a step back from the truth of documentaries to consider its believability, like an episode of Wife Swap the answer usually lies somewhere in the middle.
