Sicko

By: Art

Director: Michael Moore
Cast: Michael Moore, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton
Rating: 2.5

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all for your standard left wing, commie, government-critical, heart-wringing documentary, but Michael Moore’s latest ‘ain’t those government folks bad’ doco Sicko quite frankly leaves you feeling a bit ill in the stomach.

Sicko follows a similar narrative to Moore’s previous right-winger boot shaking outings, such as Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11.  The audience is dished up cutting criticisms of the government, using some kick arse archival footage and genuine American folk hurt by that dang government.

In Sicko, Moore travels to Canada, England, Guantanamo Bay and the social utopia that is France (no really, they have free university and government provided nannies that do washing) to discover that the U.S. has one of the worst health care systems in the developed world, due to the evildoers of the government, the pharmaceutical companies and health insurers.

To an Australian viewer all too aware of the costs of the gap between Medicare and health insurance, Sicko doesn’t seem to come from a continent all too far away, and it exists as a warning against privatisation and the importance of a health system that takes care of all members of society.

While it appears to come from a good heart, Moore’s diatribe runs a bit too long without much meaning. The failures of the U.S. health system are the sole point of the film, which in my opinion, could have been done as one of those nifty one hour Morgan Spurlock 30 days episodes.

A couple of typically hilarious George W quotes and some good archival footage of the American dream keep the film kicking between Moore visiting victims of the healthcare system, who offer some truly frightening insights into realities of the ‘lucky’ country. These victims include 9/11 volunteers denied treatment, a couple forced to sell their house after becoming bankrupt from cancer treatment and a mother whose child died while being refused treatment, because her healthcare provider did not authorise the treatment.

Moore ends up making his point, but kind of bashes the audience over the head with it like a wet trout. This film needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, even though it’s not great for your health.

In a word: Moore-ning sickness

Verbatim:
George W. Bush: “We got issue in America. Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their... their love with women all across the country.”