Looking at climate change, Leonardo DiCaprio finds hope
Documentary — “Before The Flood“. Release date: 2016. Rating: PG, 96 minutes
This movie had its premier on National Geographic channel October 30th and is available for free on Natgeotv.com, VOD, iTunes, Facebook, and a number of other outlets until November 6th.
Parents need to know that Before the Flood is a documentary about Earth’s climate crisis. It follows U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio as he travels the world, looking into various problems and possible solutions. The movie offers quite a bit of information that’s both alarming and hopeful. DiCaprio is portrayed as an empathetic, curious role model who’s helping to lead the world in the fight to save the future.
Expect some disturbing imagery related to the planet’s possible future; discussions of what could happen — and is already happening — to the planet could upset younger viewers. There’s also a bit of strong language, including “ass,” “son of a bitch,” and “damn.”
BEFORE THE FLOOD is a documentary that follows Oscar winner/U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio as he travels the world, looking at the state of climate change. Much of what he finds is devastating, including flooding in Miami (temporarily staved off by expensive pumps) and forests in Indonesia being leveled to make palm oil, which is now used in most processed foods. He learns that the situation has become urgent, but he also finds hope by speaking with scientists and world leaders. And he hears about things that every citizen of Earth can begin doing right away to help. But will big corporations and deniers of science try to put a stop to that?
MOVIE QUALITY — Four Stars
This is one of many documentaries about climate change; many aren’t much fun, but with DiCaprio at its center, this one offers crucial, current information, as well as a measure of hope. Actor/producer Fisher Stevens, who won an Oscar for his powerful dolphin documentary The Cove, directs Before the Flood, beginning with a reference to Bosch’s painting The Garden of Earthly Delights and then traveling all over the world. DiCaprio starts out with a pessimistic outlook, but he keeps an open mind as he meets and talks with politicians, specialists, and scientists. He finds that, while problems persist, there are also many solutions that have begun to be implemented.
For example, viewers learn that simply by eating less beef, we could save enormous amounts of resources used to feed cattle (not to mention lessen the incredible amounts of methane gas they emit). Viewers are also told that it would help if companies were required to pay a tax on carbon emissions will help. (Stevens’ production paid a voluntary carbon tax.) If you saw — or didn’t see — An Inconvenient Truth, Chasing Ice, Merchants of Doubt, or others, then you should see this. Overall, it’s one of the most universal and possibly most helpful and hopeful of the recent climate change documentaries.
>>> Families can talk about how much of what what shown in Before the Flood felt scary to you. Would you consider the movie’s violent? What impact does this kind of content have?
>>> How is this movie different from other documentaries about climate change? How is it similar? Do you have to agree with its perspective/point of view to find it interesting and educational?
>>> What does the movie suggest that individuals do to help the climate situation?
>>> Does the way DiCaprio comes across in the movie change your opinion of him? Do you think it was intended to? Do you consider him a role model? How does he exhibit the character strengths of empathy and curiosity in the film?
This review of Before the Flood was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson. Common Sense Media’s unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren’t influenced by the product’s creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See also: ‘Before the Flood’: Leonardo DiCaprio Heralds the End of the World, review by Adam Chitwood. (http://collider.com/before-the-flood-review-leonardo-dicaprio/#documentary)
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Thank You Leo! From Richard Alloway
I enjoyed the film. Excellent work Leo! Elon Musk has real solutions and is the first real hero I have had after 37 years of life. I look forward to getting a Model 3, I would have bought a Model S already if my bank roll permitted it, but I refuse debt. I was born into fossil fuels as a way of life, but I will die renewable. I want to help spread solar with every ounce of my strength. I love all the life I have witnessed here on Earth and it is worth saving.
Shifting taxes from our personal income and more to a consumption of carbon makes sense. It provides a dollar incentive to the right choice. However, this has to be done in a way that provides access of renewable energy to people of lower income, either make it free or at a discount that matches ones’ current expenditures on fossil fuels.
Fossil fuel companies have this amazing opportunity to make big moves and help the transition, just because we are shifting doesn’t mean they have to go out of business. We need to move fast, and if they spend some of their profit now, they can help everyone get there a lot faster while making more.
You are a shining light Leo, maybe one day I’ll talk with you in person, you are a man after my own heart! God Speed!!