I'll concede that it's not as good, however my problem seems to be that I'd rather have the political process or political actors "reach farther" than have a film or book "reach farther." For when the latter do, it often becomes heavy handed propaganda. You and "R" are of course right in that Kopple went easy on the Hoffa faction and left out a lot of context, but perhaps a little sausage making went into working with the Teamsters on the project.
I'm just happy when there's a good (entertaining, well-made) book/film that also has its politics generally right. (or when it's good enough that the politics are "right" despite the author's politics, i.e. Balzac). Out of the current batch of movies in theaters and at the video store, I recommend From Hell, where the elite, establishment types believe that Jack the Ripper must be either from the lower class, or an anti-monarchy socialist, or a Jew, whereas the opium-addicted inspector's forensics show him that the killer must be an upper class surgeon. The setting doesn't shy from the grinding poverty of the time. (It was directed by the Hughes brothers, who also did Menace II Society and Dead Presidents) Undercover Brother is really low brow, but its politics are in the right place. Conversely, Star Wars Attack of the Clones had a good States' Rights vs. Federalism theme going among other things, yet I wouldn't recommend it. Perhaps I should have higher standards for documentaries. Also, I'm reading the Rotters' Club by Johnathan Coe and it's pretty good all around.
Peter