An Inconvenient Sequel

In the opening credits of the film, one man claims that turning to Al Gore to learn about science is akin to going to “see Joseph Goebbel’s films to see the truth about Nazi Germany.” It’s a horrific and offensive argument, but it sets the tone for the film. While An Inconvenient Truth may have raised awareness about climate change, there are still mobs of deniers who make Gore out to be a villain. Here is the primary contention with the film: are we watching a sequel to An Inconvenient Truth, or are we watching a biopic on Al Gore? The film can’t really decide, and tonally shifts back and forth between Gore’s personal life and his attempts to reenergize the climate change discussion on an international level.

The first scene of the film is Gore discussing his plans with his assistants. He wants to talk to a very specific person about the long-term goals of climate change policy at the Paris Accords, and he wants to schedule his climate training program in China within the first three months. As the camera cuts to a wide shot of the room, we see a dog in the room and an otherwise casual atmosphere. It shows Gore’s human side, struggling with the exact same thing everyone else in the world does: scheduling. It helps the viewer see Gore as a true ally they could see by their side, not some omniscient climate god that rules above most people. Then, in the next scene, Gore talks about how discouraged he has become from all of the deniers and the lack of meaningful policy change since the release of the first film. Gore takes the stage at a “climate leadership training” in Houston, Texas, discussing the climate once again. Immediately, Gore starts his presentation with a humorous story about someone telling him that if he dyed his hair black he would look just like Al Gore. It’s a great story, but it just doesn’t seem to fit with Gore’s message. Gore has always utilized humor to help make his points, and humor is an excellent way to get people engaged. However, humor doesn’t seem fitting in a presentation about how little to nothing has changed in the last 10 years, how climate change is only rapidly getting worse. This is another quintessential tonal problem: do I laugh at Gore’s funny stories and personal anecdotes, or do I become afraid because of a lack of meaningful international policy? The way the film presents itself, the two pieces just never come together to make one meaningful narrative.

You can especially tell that Gore’s continued reliance on humor isn’t fitting because the last scene of the film is yet another one of his speeches, but this time there are no jokes. Gore speaks outside in front of a crowd, slightly red in the face as he passionately seeks to recruit more climate activists. We see Gore being his true self, refusing any filter to soften the blow of what he has to say. Climate change being the issue that it is, constantly threatening our way of life, the film needs to spend more time with Gore with his façade thrown away, when he says what he feels needs to be said.

The film does have its bright spots. When it focuses on the Paris Accords and international relations, An Inconvenient Sequel shines. At about 40 minutes in, Gore is in a conference with the Indian Minister of State for Energy and Power. Gore implores the Minister to consider avoiding using coal in the future. The Minister responds by telling Gore how easy it is for an American to say that. “I’ll do the same thing after 150 years. After I’ve used my coal. After I’ve got my people jobs. After I’ve created my infrastructure and highways and roads…the way the United States did for 150 years… What about in the past? I’m only asking for that carbon space which you utilized for 150 years,” the Minister says. This scene is crucial for any up-and-coming environmentalists. Using renewable energy is not as simple as just saying yes or no. There are really complex and crucial decisions that have to be made that could cost a developing nation like India a fatal blow to their economy.

The bright spots of this film continue as the Paris Accords continue on and Gore makes a call to the Indian minister. He promises substantial material resources to both kickstart India’s gateway into the renewable energy world as well as economic aid. Watching these international bartering systems is immensely interesting and is a rare sight. After that, An Inconvenient Sequel fails to live up to its predecessor. After watching the film I was left wondering if I actually learned anything at the end. Both this and An Inconvenient Truth are meant to be educational, so if I can’t figure out what I learned other than snippets of Gore’s personal life it doesn’t reflect well on the film.

Ultimately, I was just left with a bad taste in my mouth. I guess the film just had a little too much Gore for me.