Friends Alexa Kovachevich and Alex Thompson share a love of film critique. However, this semester, they must discuss movies through Google Chat, because Kovachevich is in London. Recently, they discussed “No Impact Man.”

Thompson: What did you think of “No Impact Man?”

Kovachevich: I thought the documentary was enjoyable. I especially liked watching Beavan’s wife’s reaction to the process of excluding more and more amenities from their life.

T: I also thought it was interesting, if not completely universal, or revelatory.

K: It had heart and was inspiring. I think even people that aren’t involved in environmental issues would like it.

T: I felt the director didn’t explore enough of the contradictions in the Beavans’ life. It would have been interesting to examine the affluence of organic families. In many cases, these bold decisions are luxuries.

K: Interesting point: I often thought the documentary was attempting to have more of a Hollywood storyline. They could have done a better job getting down to the nitty-gritty complications of the project. Frankly, I wanted to see how difficult it was. I have less of an issue with the lifestyle because there are numerous things to point out in that realm. They weren’t completely no impact, and yes, they did have the luxury to be that way. However, I do feel like they were making an honest effort. It would be more compelling to show these contradictions, but that is not the type of documentary they wanted to create.

T: You’re right about that. I do think the structure was fascinating, especially in the wake of television’s reality TV boom. There are a number of small conflict arcs that are less interesting than the process of becoming a no-impact family. Her getting preggers seemed superfluous for some reason. I did, however, find their honest reactions to the limits of their control refreshing. Something about the extremes of living a no-impact life worked for them and made them more willing to compromise towards good.

K: Yes, I can see how parts of it wouldn’t appeal to the go-green crowd but would to the reality TV viewers. I agree that the human part of the story was the best, and I think the Beavans were a changed people. Perhaps it takes some pushing over the edge to see how simple adjustments can make a big difference. This leads into a question I had been wondering about: while this documentary was enjoyable to watch, do you think it has sticking power?

T: Well, the story has already broken, really. It was a huge feature story in The New York Times, Beavan appeared on talk shows, etc. Those things that stick in an entertainment world now filled with documentaries are subversive, biting or witty. There was no clear tone in “No Impact Man.” The director allowed the Beavans to dictate the story. Moreover, the tone and the characters are presented so plainly that the documentary may not be dramatic enough to stick.

K: Oppositely, I thought the director’s voice was really apparent. I don’t think the story was dictated plainly. I felt like there was a story feel to it. It wasn’t just documenting their lives – they tried to make it more dramatic. When really all I wanted to see was what they wiped their asses with. Hah.

T: Hahaha…

K: I guess I was asking earlier if you think the film was intended to make an environmental difference. They never addressed why they were filming it.

T: Ah. I think that the initial experiment of “No Impact Man” was meant to make an environmental impact, certainly, or at least explore the options of personal control. I think the film’s purpose is to further publicize that mission.

K: Yeah, but how did they know it would take off?

T: Beavan publicized his mission online, he tested the waters already. Going green is so big right now it makes sense that he’d get so much media attention. Blogs too are raging, not a fad per se, but raging all the same.

K: True. Here is my overall review. Enjoyable and inspiring for all in its novelty and heart, but doesn’t leave as big an impact on me as I thought it would.

T: And mine: inspiring, but undemanding of either its subjects or its audience. I was interested and entertained, but never enlightened.