Sicko is every bit as bloated and heavy-handed in parts, as Moore's other documentaries, so don't go into it expecting the big 180 in style that some reviews have suggested. That said, Moore has never been this successful at getting a point across. An Inconvenient Truth better watch its back.The film starts with a series of vignettes of various Americans who's lives have been changed due to their inability to afford medical care in the States' privatized system. Moore narrates that the film isn't about those people though, but rather about those who have the money to never have to worry about affording medical care if they or loved ones were ever to become sick. The ones with blood on their hands, and fat fat wallets in their pockets.
Next is a section on people denied health coverage by the medical insurance companies who're more interested in making money than saving lives, and their political connections.
Segue into Canada, along-side a single mother who needs medical treatment, but can't afford it. www.hook-a-canadian.com Is the answer to all your prayers, neighbours. Come up North, marry one of our finest bachelors or bachelorettes, and take advantage of our free medical care.
Moore then appears in front of the camera after having spent nearly half of the movie in a narrator's capacity only. He then goes around the world, to places who know what's up, and how important it is to make sure all of their people receive proper health care.
Moore delivers some really great "fuck you" moments to the US government (and even one to the owner of the largest anti-Moore websites), but they're often too close to moments that made me want to say the same to him. The "I'm just a fat, dumb American. Enlighten me." shtick doesn't really cut it anymore, and the schmaltzy references to 9/11 definitely don't.
If you're relatively well informed on world health care, it's not the most interesting two hours. There's a lot of info that you're going to be familiar with to start, and then that information is going to be repeated ad nauseum. But if you think that there's nothing wrong with the American health care system, then it's for you to see.
Oh, and if you've ever had the desire to move to France, or possibly have a brain tumor... Pack up your things, and take your suitcase and passport along with you to the theatre, because you're going to want to get to the airport as quickly as possible. Take me with you?
i watched this last night + really liked it. the only thing i would have liked is more individual case studies rather than drawn out visits to other countries. it was the interviews with those personally affected that resonated with me the most.
ReplyDeletethe one thing i kept thinking throughout the movie: why aren't US citizens constantly taking to the streets in armed revolt?