It is never completely truthful. The object of film whether it be documentary or "news" is to present a narrative to the side of the story that you take. That's why they have you practice all those argumentative essays in school.
I am on the liberal side. I think Michael Moore can be annoying. I think he also raises a lot of good points, and I tend to watch his films.
Lordy Lordy, the world is ending. I agree with DR's take on films! Obviously, I'm not one who shares many of Michael's views. The last documentary I watched and liked was
"Islam: What the West Needs to Know", which is definitely NOT a MM film. Basically, Mike makes killer money making propaganda for the Left, and he is very good at it. I would suggest checking out
"Michael Moore Hates America" if you would like to see another take on MM and his artistic license when presenting "facts".
Honestly, I didn't mind some of his earlier stuff until I saw that
"Bowling For Columbine" cutting room floor footage one of his aids stole and sold. He really badgers Charlton Heston, following him around in public with cameras and screaming questions and obscenities at him to get various facial expressions and reactions on film, for MM's voiced over commentary. Watch the unchopped -vs- the chopped footage and, liberal or conservative, you'll see some pretty weird "responses" to "questions", etc... It's pretty creative, although very misleading, and definitely not any more focused on fact, news or documentary than
Borat or Rush Limbaugh are.