(1999)
3
Derek Armstrong
While it's not anybody's idea of a balanced piece, Grass does constitute a fascinating barometer of the social climates in the United States during the last century, filtered through the hot-button issue of marijuana use. Director Ron Mann's agenda is clearly to say, "Look how silly we once were," and it's sometimes hard to argue with his logic. With clips of such propaganda films as 1938's ridiculous Reefer Madness (Tell Your Children), it's easy to see how alarmism got the better of conservative America, particularly during the early stages of awareness of the drug. As a result, those who sought to legalize marijuana end up getting lionized in the film, and those who were opposed, vilified. It doesn't help Mann's minimal push for impartiality that he has Woody Harrelson, a prominent pot supporter, doing the narration, although Harrelson's readings are crisp and sober, giving the piece a solid spine. The footage is basically just a clip job, with no new interviews, but it makes for an effective and thorough compilation. For a piece whose primary goal is to preach to the converted, Mann hits a home run. He also adds a dose of humor for those who may have lit up before entering the theater; as the film proceeds chronologically, each era is introduced by funky graphics that summarize the establishment's current fear campaign ("Marijuana will make you...insane!"), which are quite funny.
Trailer
cast-crew for Grass on AllMovie
Grass (1999)
