YEAR IN FILM In this economy, you can't turn on the television without hearing the phrase "in this economy." The entertainment industry is eager to capitalize on national misfortunes, and we're just as anxious to escape into a fantasy or to find sad sacks we can relate to. We've yet to see full extent of the economic crisis played out on film, but 2009 offered at least a few astute reflections.

The most obvious is Capitalism: A Love Story, in which Michael Moore takes on the culture of greed and corruption that he argues got us into this mess. As usual, Moore has his finger on the country's trembling pulse, capturing the cause and effect of our fears in his inimitable style. It's not the definitive film about our economic meltdown, but it's an ambitious start. In this case, however, I'd argue that fiction is more compelling than truth. This year's two most effective films about the economy used it as a backdrop. In fact, they were all about the economy, but by playing it subtly, they left more lasting impressions.