As much a sociological study of the way a modern urban couple relate and negotiate for individual priorities as a practical experiment sustainable living, “No Impact Man” is a thought provoking documentary that’s as entertaining as it is informative.
The film stems from writer Colin Beavan’s book project idea to ween he, his wife Michele, and their young daughter Isabella off making any environmental impact from their Greenwich Village condo apartment for one year.
As a writer for Business Week, corporate day-jobber Michele does not let go easily of her regular caffeine fixes and urge for shopping that are not part of Colin’s carefully mapped out stages for reducing consumption that includes composting, making their own cleaning products, cloth diapers, ceasing use of toilet paper, and cutting off the power to their apartment at the six month mark.
Colin installs a single solar panel on their roof that enables him to work at home on his computer when he isn’t shopping for locally grown produce at the nearby produce market or doing community gardening at a lot in the Village.
Directors Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein are blessed with level-headed subjects in Colin and Michele who are far from the insufferable condescending liberal stereotypes that you might expect.
Like the “vacations” that the family take to local farms to see where their food comes from, “No Impact Man” is valuable journey into what living with less looks like.
(Oscilloscope) Not Rated. 90 mins.
