Only acclaimed filmmaker, Michael Moore, can take a serious subject like the average American's lack of affordable health care and make an audience alternately snicker and weep in the same film. The snickering part comes into play when Moore uses his, trademarked, commando style technique of confronting those he deems responsible, or those he thinks should accept responsibility, for the health care crisis in America.
Trusty camera in tow, pointed what seems suspiciously like a mere foot away from his prey, Moore hunts down and interrogates some of the top execs at Managed Healthcare Companies such as those under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield umbrella, as well as private companies such as Cigna and Aetna. It’s inevitable that the ‘big bad’ executives he's hounding come off looking like deer caught in the headlights. Moore has this duck-shooting theatrical technique down pat...and it continues to work like a charm in Sicko to make his victims look as guilty as Moore charges them.
And then, there is Moore's trademark "Everyman's" voice narration overlay of the facts, which has now moved closer to the godly in sound. Heck, we are talking life and death here! Moore's modulation remains firmly placed in quiet somber tones, oozing with sympathy and remorse for the medically jammed up Americas among us who he documents have been screwed over by the current purveyors of health care. The case studies he presents, of people suffering, not being able to afford medicine, and loved ones dying for lack of transplants, etc. are the parts where even a stone weeps.
The Americans in distress who are featured in the film are sweet, kindly, sincere people caught in desperate medical situations, and it is inevitable that as we watch them, we identify with them. When Moore takes them to, of all unlikely places, Cuba, whose healthcare, much like Canada and the UK, is nationalized and, therefore, free, this reviewer’s American jaw crashed with a resolute thud on top of cinema floor.
After the movie, I raced home, pulled out my medical card, and called my provider with numerous questions. I honestly got totally frightened and paranoid about the level of medical care my plan afforded me. Sicko brings up the chilling reality that many healthcare providers are letting people die in order to preserve their profit-making bottom line.
This is one scary film. Moore is a master at audience manipulation. His documentaries don't just tell a story objectively, from a journalistic point of view; they are a call to engage in transformative action. But, to be fair, Moore has never claimed to be a journalist. He's that angry guy from Flint, Michigan who thinks the ordinary American is getting the shaft from the corporate machinery that, apparently, has taken over and completely gutted this country and he's making films about that point of view.
One thing is for sure, even if you don't agree with his viewpoint, his documentaries aren't ordinary; Sicko is riveting viewing just like his predecessors, which include Fahrenheit: 911, Bowling for Columbine, and Roger and Me. If you live in America, and don't have the income levels of Bill Gates or Oprah, which would allow you to pay cash for all the doctor and hospital care you and your family will need, then you'd better see Sicko.
If you want to stay healthy in America, don’t get sick. Following on the heels of his award winning hit “Fahrenheit 9/11” and his Oscar® winnin...More at HotMovieSale.com
If you want to stay healthy in America, dont get sick. Following on the heels of his award winning hit Fahrenheit 9/11 and his Oscar winning film Bowl...More at Buy.com
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.