I was just reading these reviews and decided to comment:
Wonderful movie. I've watched it twice, years ago.
Yes, the book, (the movie) is satirical indeed but it is also factual. It transcends time, it seems: "Chance" was educated by the television; today, people get their education from their phones or tablets and most of the time it is news that has not even been confirmed.
Nowadays, people swallow any information about others (politicians, stars, etc) because they want to associate themselves and aspire to these individuals, instead of taking care of themselves and strengthen their values, sometimes detrimental to their own development.
Like Voltaire wrote "cultivate your own garden".
In this instance, "Chance" literally did it...