There is always something to complain about in today’s world, but those who choose to do something about it can sometimes make a difference. In the documentary Waiting for 'Superman,' Davis Guggenheim, the Academy Award-winning director of An Inconvenient Truth, takes on another subject deeply troubling to him -- the failing public school system.

Geoffrey Canada opens the film by revealing the meaning behind the movie’s title. He explains about his ghetto upbringing where he was certain someday Superman would come and fix everything wrong in his life. “Some kids are given the short end of the stick and they don‘t know why,” he said.

Guggenheim came to the realization of this problem not because of the education his own children were getting, but because when he drove them to their private school, he had to pass by the public schools with youngsters who looked anything but happy and successful.

Although obviously passionate about this subject, I give Guggenheim credit for not making the documentary sappy. He shows -- not tells -- his story through the eyes of those living in these situations, including the teacher dilemma which sometimes shows there are almost as many bad teachers as good. And he provides the statistics to back up his concern.

To illustrate his point Guggenheim features several actual cases where underprivileged kids from three ethnic backgrounds are going through a lottery to get into a charter school. He goes right into their homes and schools, dissecting their dreams on camera. When it comes time for the lotteries to take place, the audience is right there as the bingo balls are drawn, and against heavy odds only a few smiling faces leave the room.

If student test scores from across the country that are shown to be below those across the globe don’t make viewers take notice, then tears running down the faces of moms plus grandmothers now caring for their grandchildren and the heart-broken kids themselves, will.

Guggenheim also spotlights several other fascinating facts about education, including clips of all the past presidents who vowed to do something about education and how the tenure system has become a nightmare in our school systems. This comes through loud and clear in the segment about Washington D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, who tried her best to make a positive change in the educational system there because test scores ranked as some of the lowest in the nation.

Canada, the founder of the Harlem Success Academy, didn’t need a real superman to change his world, but looking at what he’s done for kids who attend his school, it’s certain they would say he was the superman of their lives.

The film is never dull. Guggenheim uses an array of different elements to deliver his message including music, cartoons, graphics and a detailed explanation of what he calls “The Lemon Dance.” It definitely paints a picture of what this documentarian wants to get across. But along with a focus on failing schools, Guggenheim visits ones that are excelling -- where kids are happy to attend, work longer hours, be respectful and seem grateful for a good education. And Guggenheim doesn’t advocate for private schools only; he wants the public schools to step up and do a better job.

“My father made documentaries, and he taught me that films should always be stories about people and if you’re going to make movies they’ve got to say something,” Guggenheim said. “I think that every kid, no matter where they are born or what they have been given in life, deserves a great education and a piece of the American dream. That’s what drove me to tell this story and to make this movie.” 

More than eye-opening, Waiting for 'Superman' is a get-up-and-do-something-about-it movie. It’s important for parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone concerned about the future of our country to see.

(Released by Paramount Vantage Pictures and rated “PG” for mild language and adult themes.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.