Directed by Michael Moore, Written by Michael Moore
Runtime: 113 minutes, Released on: June 29, 2007
Review by: Ben Tay
Under fire in Michael Moore’s latest film is the American healthcare system (or lack thereof according to the popular documentary-filmmaker). As with his previous works, Moore shows us many gut-wrenching interviews with victims scorned by a system supposedly created to protect them, while contrasting his troubled view of life within the U.S. by showing life abroad in various other countries. As with his previous efforts, Sicko is not very well-rounded but it is very entertaining and guaranteed to generate debate among audiences.
In the past, Moore detractors have criticized the filmmaker for cherry-picking his facts for the purpose of presenting a simplified and illogical one-sided view on highly complex social issues. Sicko will surely add more fuel to the fire between Moore and his critics, as the director continually bashes the privatized U.S healthcare system while offering no legitimate glimpse into the other side of the coin. Moore certainly has enough material here to make us question the validity of healthcare within the United States, but the best opinion pieces are the ones that explore both sides of an argument, and one can’t help but wish Moore would’ve taken the time to defend the alleged drawbacks of the socialized healthcare system in order to strengthen his position.
Love him or hate him, Sicko once again proves that Michael Moore is a compelling filmmaker with a lot to say, and regardless of whether you actually agree with what he’s saying, praise must at least be given to Moore for shedding light on a truly important issue that inexplicably has to fight for news headline space with the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. In a summer of mindless entertainment, Sicko is a must-see.
Side Note: Although not entirely intentional, Sicko has one scene that caused me to laugh the hardest I have in at least three years. I won’t spoil it, but it involves an American tourist traveling to the historic Abbey Road made famous by The Beatles. For the sake of your health and safety, please make sure you’re not eating or drinking anything during this scene.
| Mike Sez: I'll agree that Moore raises some interesting points in this movie, but I have to admit that the repetitive nature of the film really wore on me. Moore raises the same points over and over (and over and over) again until he's sure that even the slowest audience members have fully gotten it. I think this would probably make for an enlightening 15 minute short film, but as a feature running at almost two hours, it is -- to be concise, an adjective clearly not in Moore's vocabulary -- boring.
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