At first glance, first-time filmmaker Jeff Barrie’s documentary Killowatt Ours looks like more of the same. You know, more of the same well-meaning, conservation-conscious, finger-wagging stuff that you’ve been seeing for years. The sort of film that likes to lecture you about how you are the problem and how you aren’t doing your bit. That point is often true, but if you’ve been hearing the same message long enough, you cease paying attention.
Barrie’s film is different, though. Oh, it has its share of feel-bad tactics, and the ones it employs are dillies, but they’re limited to the film’s opening. Soon Killowatt Ours settles into something more — not you are the problem, but we are the problem. And beyond that, the movie actually addresses things we can do to help be part of the solution.
Better yet, the film offers things we can do that are within the realm of the accessible and affordable. Too many works like this suggest things you can do to help that are all well and good, say, if you have $50,000 in loose change in your sock drawer, but aren’t very helpful to the average person. Barrie shows how he and his wife went about actually making that difference, all on a realistic budget. This is what makes this worthy film deserving of a look — followed by thought and, hopefully, some action.
— reviewed by Ken Hanke
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.