Synopsis

During a promotional tour for his 1996 book Downsize This!, Michael Moore travels through American cities examining layoffs, corporate profits, political evasions, and workers' fears of unemployment. Comic confrontations with business representatives and political figures eventually lead to a rare extended exchange with Nike chairman Phil Knight. Interviews with workers and struggling communities turn the road movie into a pointed critique of corporate downsizing and economic policy.

Factoids & Trivia

• Much of the film was assembled from footage shot during Moore's nationwide book tour, giving it a deliberately spontaneous, loosely structured feel rather than the shape of a traditionally planned documentary.

• The title is a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the United States should adopt a more descriptive name, reflecting the film's satirical approach to American politics and business.

• Moore's campaign against corporate downsizing includes an attempt to persuade Nike to bring manufacturing jobs to Flint, Michigan. He eventually secures a conversation with Nike chairman Phil Knight.

• Harvey Weinstein acquired Miramax's distribution rights after seeing the film at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival. The deal reportedly included a promise to direct half of the film's income to Flint agencies featured in it.

• The film received a PG-13 rating for strong language. It premiered at Toronto in September 1997 before its wider U.S. release in 1998.