by SARAH ROWLAND

Is An Inconvenient Truth a self-serving promotional tool for Al Gore’s global warming warning? Hell yeah. But who really cares? It’s not like a commitment to environmental issues is going to line his already-fat pockets. On the contrary, he tours the world promoting his cause on his own dime. This is clearly his life’s work and this documentary is merely an extension of that.

Director Davis Guggenheim follows the former Vice Pres around on his international talking circuit. Between Gore’s multimedia presentations, we get glimpses into the pivotal moments—both personal and professional—that shaped his life. The most profound being when his six-year-old son was on a life support system after being mowed down by a car right in front of Gore’s eyes.

Just as revealing is Gore talking about how he and his parents turned a blind eye to cigarette health warnings—for a family that made its fortune from tobacco farming, that was “an inconvenient truth” (yes, he never misses an opportunity to tie in these vignettes with his message. He’s still a politician after all). In fact, the Gores didn’t put an end to their profitable crops until Al’s only sister succumbed to, what else, lung cancer.

There are also some cheesy parts, though, most notably a couple of excruciatingly corny cartoons he uses to demonstrate the effects of greenhouse gases. It’s only then that you remember: oh yeah, this guy fucks Tipper.

But other than that, this educational film is great for people with all levels of environmental awareness. He has truly mastered (cartoons not withstanding) the art of breaking down science in a way that is engaging for all ages. He is also very quick to counter every depressing fact with some words of hope, a theme that carries right through to the end.

Depending on your tolerance for dyke rock, you might want to stick around for the credits when Melissa Etheridge sings the title track as tips on how to make a difference flash across the screen. This add-on helps to alleviate the sense of doom you may feel at the thought of trying to convince the impenetrably ignorant (i.e. Middle America and Alberta) that the impending climate crisis is based on fact and not fear-mongering.

An Inconvenient Truth opens Friday, June 9

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