Michael Moore, an unconventional and self-taught documentary filmmaker, opens the film by sharing insights about himself and his family through home movies on 8 mm film. He describes his childhood with a voice-over, characterizing himself as "kind of a strange child," born into an Irish American Catholic family, with his father working for General Motors assembling AC Spark Plugs. Moore reflects on how General Motors shaped his upbringing in Flint, Michigan, underscoring the city’s significant history as the site of the 1937 Flint Sit-Down Strike, which led to the establishment of the United Auto Workers union. The Flint he depicts is infused with memories of local figures like Bob Eubanks, who he dubs as "Flint's most famous native son," alongside celebrated band members from Grand Funk Railroad, and popular personalities such as Casey Kasem and the spouses of notable figures like Zubin Mehta.
Initially escaping the stagnant blue-collar life, Moore moves to California and finds work at a magazine in San Francisco, but loses that opportunity and returns to Flint in 1985. It is during this return that General Motors announces substantial layoffs, shipping local jobs away to cheaper labor in Mexico, a decision that comes despite the company enjoying record profits. Disguised as a TV journalist from Toledo, Ohio, Moore interviews several auto workers, uncovering their deep resentment towards GM chairman Roger B. Smith.
Determined to confront Smith, Moore tries to meet him at the GM headquarters in Detroit but is thwarted by security, starting a lengthy pursuit of the elusive chairman at various venues, including the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and the Detroit Athletic Club. As his search unfolds, Moore delves into the personal impact of the factory closures on his friends, such as speaking with a former assembly line worker named Ben Hamper, who struggles with mental health after being laid off.
The documentary portrays a chilling montage set to the Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice," showcasing the urban decay of Flint, marked by increasing layoffs and the mass exodus of residents. Contrasting narratives arise as Moore shifts his focus to the affluent surrounding suburbs, where residents exhibit ignorance and classism, as well as the misguided attempts by the Flint Convention and Visitors Bureau to boost tourism through flawed initiatives like the construction of a Hyatt Regency Hotel and AutoWorld, which quickly failed.
Prominent figures, including President Reagan, make appearances, suggesting solutions for the unemployed that include relocating across the country, while community tensions boil over with local figures such as Pat Boone and Anita Bryant attempting to lighten spirits. Moore's encounters with figures like Bob Eubanks also highlight the disconnection between celebrity endorsements and the harsh realities of the workers.
The film culminates with Moore's attendance at the 1988 GM Shareholders Convention, where he is ultimately shut out by Roger B. Smith when he attempts to voice the grievances of laid-off workers. Throughout, Moore captures the struggles of Flint's residents—showcasing stories from a former radio host turned Amway saleswoman and a local resident named James Bond—as the rise in crime becomes a harrowing backdrop to the economic collapse.
In a heart-wrenching climax, after years of seeking out Smith, Moore finally confronts him at a public event, displaying a stark contrast between the chairman's rhetoric of goodwill and the harsh realities facing Flint families, as demonstrated by the eviction of a family that worked for GM. The film ends with a lament that echoes Moore’s frustration:
> “Well... I failed to bring Roger to Flint. As we neared the end of the twentieth century, the rich got richer, the poor got poorer...”
The closing credits reveal a poignant message: "This film cannot be shown within the city of Flint, for all the movie theaters have closed."
