This documentary follows the revelation of a secret group of fraud, who introduce themselves to be scientists, as they use their skills in talking to convince people to change their minds of the most famous scientific ideas, such as the dangers of toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Director Robert Kenner delivers this rote but stirring documentary about the fake experts and pseudo-scientists that are employed by corporations to spread doubt in the media about scientific facts.
Using a magician's tricks as a metaphor for corporate tactics is clever, and Kenner's found an eloquent talking head in history of science prof Naomi Oreskes, but as in his previous flick, Food, Inc., he keeps hammering away at the same idea.
Aside from an eye-opening investigation of useless and harmful flame repellents pumped into furniture, it sticks to climate change without broadening its scope to other examples of corporate spinning, which must be plentiful.
As a political propaganda film about the dangers of political propaganda, it's difficult to imagine Merchants of Doubt having any effect beyond the cold comfort it might bring the choir.
Kenner's sympathies are clear - "Don't let them stack the deck!" the film proclaims - and ultimately Merchants of Doubt does a much better job of making you think than convincing you of what to think.
Based on the 2010 book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, the film lays out a convincing, follow-the-money trail from the tobacco industry's postwar efforts to prevent (or forestall) government regulation to a profitable lobbying specialty today.
