The Big Uneasy

The Big Uneasy is a riveting and profound documentary that was released in 2010 and masterfully directed and narrated by Harry Shearer, who is most noted for his voice work in The Simpsons. Shearer's passion for New Orleans and its rich heritage is evident in every frame of the film. It harnesses the collective star power of John Goodman and Brad Pitt, who lend their voices to shepherd audiences through this cinematic exploration of a city’s soul and resilience.

The movie places a spotlight on the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters in American history, which wreaked havoc in New Orleans in 2005. It presents a powerful and moving look at issues of engineering, governmental neglect, and climate change that converged to create such a disaster, and then failed in its aftermath.

Though the film is undeniably a serious examination of these events and their implications, Shearer intersperses the narrative with his signature wit and sarcasm, creating moments of levity that serve to underscore the gravity of the situation rather than detract from it. The film goes beyond the news bytes and elevates the conversation to understand the actual causes behind the calamity and the finger-pointing that ensued.

The Big Uneasy provides a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the vast engineering failures that precipitated the flooding of New Orleans following the hurricane, establishing a strong case for human error. An accomplished actor, Shearer’s passion as a local resident and hobbyist historian is clear in the way he approaches the subject matter.

Almost five years after the disaster, Shearer enlists a team of investigative journalists, scientists, and local residents to retrace the decisions that culminated in the tragedy, using a mix of dramatic reenactments, expert interviews and testimonials, archival footage, and animated diagrams to bring the narrative to life.

Shearer gathers first-person accounts, some by whistle blowers from within the United States Army Corps of Engineers. These interviews reveal the systemic issues at play and expose the mishandling and negligence that left New Orleans vulnerable to such devastation. The film quite extensively covers investigations by Robert Bea, Ivor van Heerden, and other credited independent investigators who meticulously dissected the series of events.

Among the film’s many powerful voices is that of John Goodman, who chillingly narrates some of the doomed city's experiences during and after the storm. Brad Pitt makes a significant appearance in the documentary as a strong advocate for revitalizing the city and a present contributor to its reconstruction.

While The Big Uneasy primarily focuses on the heart-wrenching series of missteps leading up to the catastrophe, it also highlights the city’s attempts to rebuild and revitalize itself in the aftermath, painting a picture of a city that refuses to be kept down. The documentary catalogues the spirit of the people of New Orleans that shine through the grim circumstances and their determination to rebuild their beloved city.

In the final analysis, The Big Uneasy is a film that presents a combination of passion and precision, personal stories and hard data, to create a checked and balanced story that takes viewers behind the scenes of a disaster rather than just present a doomsday spectacle. It is a technically sound movie with a compelling narrative and exceptional performances; it is a must-watch for individuals seeking to understand the depth of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and its repercussions on the city of New Orleans.

The result is an illuminating and sometimes infuriating indictment of the actions and inactions that lead to one of the largest man-made disasters in history. It also serves as a poignant reminder of how we should never take for granted the safety of our homes and community, and underscores the need for greater attention and respect for our environment.