Awful. Unengaging, unenlightening and unendearing ...
Possibly, in the hands of a different author, the idea-- driving across America in a Model-T Ford, following a route that visits counties that voted overwhelming for Donald Trump-- might have had potential. But this doesn't work, on any level.
Tim Moore, as our tour guide and intrepid traveller, is just annoying. A lot of the "hilarity" depends on his technical uselessness, and complete ignorance of the operation and maintenance of the Model T. When things go wrong, as they immediately do -- the car stalls, floods, proves difficult to manage, drinks oil and petrol like water, (and he can't figure out how to top up the water ...), this is all supposed to be "hilarious." What larks. He has prepared for his journey by watching a couple of YouTube videos, having a couple of 20-minute test drives, and keeping the guy who sold him the car on speed dial ...
This approach is not only insulting to the good-hearted people who repeatedly come to his aid, but it's an insult to the demographic that Moore is supposed to represent, the "wise-ass Limey liberal"-- who, as embodied by Moore, can't be bothered to do his homework, to dirty his hands, to show some self-reliance. As a wise-ass honorary limey liberal, I am insulted by this lazy excuse for an idea, and for a book.
Possibly, in the hands of a different author, the idea-- driving across America in a Model-T Ford, following a route that visits counties that voted overwhelming for Donald Trump-- might have had potential. But this doesn't work, on any level.
Tim Moore, as our tour guide and intrepid traveller, is just annoying. A lot of the "hilarity" depends on his technical uselessness, and complete ignorance of the operation and maintenance of the Model T. When things go wrong, as they immediately do -- the car stalls, floods, proves difficult to manage, drinks oil and petrol like water, (and he can't figure out how to top up the water ...), this is all supposed to be "hilarious." What larks. He has prepared for his journey by watching a couple of YouTube videos, having a couple of 20-minute test drives, and keeping the guy who sold him the car on speed dial ...
This approach is not only insulting to the good-hearted people who repeatedly come to his aid, but it's an insult to the demographic that Moore is supposed to represent, the "wise-ass Limey liberal"-- who, as embodied by Moore, can't be bothered to do his homework, to dirty his hands, to show some self-reliance. As a wise-ass honorary limey liberal, I am insulted by this lazy excuse for an idea, and for a book.
