BELLAIRE -- Michael Moore made a "love story" that brought tears to the eyes of movie-goers.
His newest documentary proved both sad and inspirational, said northern Michigan residents and others who attended the Michigan premiere of "Capitalism: A Love Story" in Bellaire on Saturday.
"This is the first (Moore film) that made me cry," said Sherri Amstutz. "Seeing the stories of people in this country, seeing them thrown out of their homes when they did nothing wrong but misunderstand a piece of paper."
Connie Brigham attended the premiere in this Antrim County town and expected Moore to tell her about federal bank bailouts "with humor and quirkiness."
But she cried after watching lost footage of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's bygone proposal for a second Bill of Rights to protect the middle class.
"What could have been, it brought tears to my eyes," Brigham said.
But both Brigham and Amstutz also called the movie inspiring, and cited stories of people who stood up to powerful banking interests.
Steve Roux came north from Rockwall, Texas, to see the film with his mother. He wasn't disappointed.
Roux thought Moore's last movie, "Sicko," helped stoke the national health care debate.
"I'm wondering now how much of the whole capitalism thing will change because of this film," Roux said.
"Sicko" premiered in Bellaire in 2007, and that film had a much greater impact on the local economy, said those who own and work at local businesses.
"There's definitely more people in town (than usual) today," said Julie Clark, as she dished ice cream for customers at Ruthie's Chicken & Dairy Twist. "But definitely not as many people that came for 'Sicko.'"
Brooks Bates, who worked the desk at Stone Waters Inn, said Moore's decision to premiere the film in Bellaire gave a boost to the community.
"It's bringing new people into Bellaire and putting Bellaire on the map," Bates said
Denese Kovacs, who owns the Bellaire Bar & Restaurant with her husband, said it seemed like a normal "summer Saturday," albeit in September.
Sally Hannert, among the premiere co-chairs, said better preparation led to a smoother event.
"We tried to spread more money around town, being capitalists the way we are," Hannert said.
The premiere of "Sicko" had four sold-out showings. "Capitalism," which has already been shown in Toronto, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and San Francisco, had just two shows Saturday. Neither sold out.
Marilyn Cobb, an event volunteer, suspects the poor economy hurt attendance. The screenings also served as a fundraiser for the Antrim County Democratic Party.
But Hannert thinks it had more to do with the topic.
"I think a lot of people, myself included, really don't understand capitalism," Hannert said. It's not as familiar to people as health care."
One man protested Saturday's event. Pasquale Fortuna put two anti-Moore signs in his car and parked across from Bellaire Theatre.
"I joined the service because of Michael Moore," Fortuna said. "After I saw "Bowling for Columbine" I went down and enlisted in the Navy."
Fortuna didn't plan anything quite so drastic for Moore's latest effort. He had to work the afterglow party at Short's Brewery.
Another Bellaire conservative, Dean Wade, said he hated "Sicko" but wants to see "Capitalism: A Love Story."
"I want to see if he has a slant on it or if he's just bashing conservatives in general," Wade said.
Jeff Amstutz said he thinks even conservatives will like Moore's latest take on American life.
"There really aren't many points you can argue," Amstutz said. "This is really about Christian values, about American values."
