Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?

"If I've learned anything from action movies," Spurlock says as he embarks on his adventure, "it's that complicated global problems are best solved by one lonely guy." His joke becomes a kind of mantra as he deploys his charismatic personality in pursuit of connection with the people he meets. While the movie's framework occasionally appears too cute and its resolution too obvious (we're all humans, and we need to figure out how to get along), Spurlock's project remains worthy. This is especially clear in his encounters with individual people -- variously receptive, skeptical, and curious -- who say repeatedly that they resent the U.S. government but want to like its people, who reject stereotypes and embrace laughter, complexity, and, most often, openness.

There are some exceptions, as when Spurlock is accosted on the street by angry Israelis who think he's "intruding" in their land, or when he visits a schoolroom where students are obviously careful in their answers to his questions, since they're being watched by their teachers. And despite lighthearted delivery methods like animation and "baseball cards" for accused terrorists, the movie's fairly basic analysis of U.S. history suggests a sobering mix of ineptitude and short-sightedness. But other instances -- as when Spurlock visits a poor family whose father wishes to provide food and education for his children so their lives might be better, or when Spurlock laughs or commiserates with his many different hosts -- are touching. The film closes with a montage of faces, a collection of portraits collected throughout Spurlock's journey -- old and young, smiling and not, inquisitive and worried -- all suggesting their differences, shared aspirations, and familiarity.