Watch The Big Uneasy

The Big Uneasy is a documentary film directed and written by actor, comedian and satirist Harry Shearer. The film mainly revolves around the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast region of the United States in 2005. The documentary examines the possible causes of the flood devastation that occurred specifically in New Orleans during the disaster.

The film sets out to investigate the reasons behind the flooding and the levee breaks in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, which claimed many lives and caused heavy infrastructure damage. Shearer interviews leading experts on the subject, including numerous civic leaders and engineers who worked with the army corps of engineers. Among these experts is engineer Robert Bea who provides detailed explanations regarding the construction and design of the levee system. He is a leading critic of the army corps of engineers' methods and beliefs that they overlooked certain critical failures and did not heed warnings regarding the inadequacy of the levee design in the region. This is an intense study of the the past management of New Orleans and the potential causes of the infamous disaster.

Despite being a documentary film, The Big Uneasy is successful in delivering its message through humor and satire. Shearer is a talented comedic performer, and his sharp wit is evident throughout the movie. He provides insightful commentary, with a sardonic style that is often humorous but also biting. Readers should keep in mind that, while entertaining, it is still an intense study of a disaster.

The documentary exposes some of the shortcomings of the American public infrastructure and provides some lessons that can be learned from the disaster. The film points to systemic flaws in the infrastructure development policies of the United States, and highlights the need for better disaster readiness.

Alongside humorous commentary, Shearer compiles various testimonies and footage of the disaster to provide a comprehensive view of what occurred. He also conducts important investigations and interviews of the time and implements them in the documentary to some extent. For example, he uses footage of interviews with scientists and ordinary citizens who reveal details about the actual cause of the disaster.

The Big Uneasy also examines the complexities of modern engineering practices and how they may miss a critical point but are still approved. The back and forth between various experts can also be an engaging aspect for some viewers, as well their differing viewpoints on persistent issues.

In the end, The Big Uneasy is an informative and entertaining documentary film that offers an insightful look into the causes and consequences of Hurricane Katrina. With its humor and satire, the film is a refreshingly new treatment of a very serious disaster that affected a large population. Harry Shearer has also done a commendable job of portraying the complex issues surrounding the disaster, and scrutinizes the government’s policies surrounding the aftermath of the catastrophe. Anyone who has an interest in environmental issues, infrastructure policies and disaster readiness would enjoy this well crafted documentary.

Overall, The Big Uneasy is an accessible and engaging film that achieves the rare feat of offering humor and wit while educating viewers about a difficult subject. It’s an essential documentary for anyone who wants to better understand the causes of Hurricane Katrina and the role of infrastructure policies in the United States.