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SICKO
Director: Michael Moore
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Number of discs: 1
Rating 
Studio: Weinstein Company
DVD Release Date: November 6, 2007
Run Time: 123 minutes
I was a little taken aback at
Rolling Stone’s suggestion of Michael Moore’s latest documentary “You’ll laugh
till it hurts.” Now I love to laugh so much that it actually hurts, but I found
precious little to laugh about in SICKO. I’m also familiar with Moore’s
wickedly funny trademark style—and like it too. But I also feel that Michael
Moore reaches a new level here, more sophisticated craftsmanship, and a tone
that is—yes, more serious.
Critics
of Moore’s films have blasted them as being too personal, too politically
biased and deceptively promoted as being documentaries when in reality they are
little more than propaganda. All this mat well be true, but we can use a little
counter-propaganda in these days of unrelenting capitalist & nationalistic
propaganda. At least Moore’s “propaganda” is sensitive, aware, incisive and,
yes, funny too.
The
opening sequence immediately draws the viewer into an almost shocking
involvement with images of accidental amputation of fingers. These images are
not just for the shock value, but thematically foreshadow central events in the
film. For example, the medical treatment of two amputees is contrasted between
the experience of one patient in the
USA and the other in Canada. The
working class US patient was told the reconnection of one finger would cost
$6,000 and the other $24,000. So the patient (who made a living working with
his hands) really couldn’t afford either, but could only commit to the $6,000
procedure. The Canadian patient received free treatment.
When focusing on the state of
British healthcare there is a very insightful interview with influential
socialist parliamentarian Tony Benn. Benn movingly explains that a free
healthcare system is not “charity,” but rather a democratic right for all
citizens. Across The Channel in Paris people from all economic groups are
likewise interviewed and is clear that their system too (at least prior to the
last general elections) is light years beyond medical care in the USA. One
woman observed that she found it incomprehensible that the wealthiest country
in the world was so primitive when it came to the healthcare of its citizens.
Makes
you stop to think…
Michael
Moore pulls out all the stops for the concluding sequence (and is the first
time you actually see him in the film.)
Three people who were
interviewed earlier in America accompany Moore in a small boat trip TO Cuba!
Not only were these people screwed over by the US medical system—they were all
9/11 volunteers whose health was basically ruined by their courageous
involvement in the search & rescue efforts. So they went to Cuba—where they
received state-of-the-art diagnosis & treatment. An American woman (a
nurse) who was suffering from advance COPD due to the 9/11 debris, broke into
tears when she found out that one of the same drugs she needed that cost over $100
in the US, was dispensed for 5 CENTS in Cuba.
I knew
that Michael Moore was a great film director (documentary or otherwise), now I
sincerely think he is also a great man.
OK,
maybe he could use a few good fashion tips, but what the hell...?
Review: JEFarrow
Updated 12/07