Health (S)Care Doc Opens Eyes

"Sicko" (2007)
Directed by: Michael Moore (Bowling For Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11)
Starring: Michael Moore, dozens of frustrated, angry Americans
Running Time: 123 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4.5/5

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore is loved AND hated by many. Many see him as a guy who's not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, while others classify him as a loudmouth who makes films to just showcase his opinions on politics and the state of the world. As for me, I see him as a brilliant documentarian who has provided the world with gripping, emotional, sometimes funny documentary stories. Yes, the man has his opinions, but so do all of US! He's just the only one who isn't afraid to voice it, and if that means voicing them through critically-acclaimed and Oscar-winning documentaries, such as "Bowling For Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11", then so be it. He's not shoving his theories on the Bush administration down our throats, and he's not ranting and raving on the horrors of gun violence in America. With "Sicko", much like with his other work, Moore takes the story to the people that matter, and the people that are affected the most - American citizens.

"Sicko" focuses on the state of America's health care system, where ill people are denied health insurance and HMO horror stories run rampant. Moore talks to many people who have had a loved one die because big corporations have denied them coverage. These true stories are surprising, emotionally charged and terribly large in numbers. Workers who helped at Ground Zero on 9/11 talk to Moore about their health conditions and reveal that insurance companies won't cover them, which to me was horrifying. These people volunteered on the day that will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in American history, and they can't have their medicine or treatment looked after? Insane.

But true. Sadly, sadly true.

Moore takes a look at the health care systems in other countries, such as France, Britain, and makes a stop in our neck of the woods, Canada. He meets a woman who drives from Michigan over the border to Ontario so she can get free health care; with the way the American system works, her actions seem justified. Moore discovers that the health care systems in these other countries is astounding, and wonders just what exactly is wrong with his own country of America. He also finds out that the only place on American soil with universal health care is Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where prisoners receive better treatment than the average American. So Moore loads up several boats with the people he meets throughout the film, including the 9/11 workers, and they set sail for Cuba. They don't receive care at the actual prison, but are flabbergasted when they're all more than taken care of by a local hospital. A 9/11 worker receives her medication at a cost of $0.05 US, compared to the $120 she pays at home. The rest of them are treated and taken care of with high-quality care, and needless to say, they are very surprised and impressed.

The question that Moore is asking is "What's wrong with us?", concerning the United States. In the richest country in the world, they deny people coverage and sacrifice essential health services in order to maximize profits. The film was eye-opening to me, and makes me proud to live in Canada. I think this is some of Michael Moore's best work, and I find it hard to believe that people will criticize it. Moore isn't lambasting George W. Bush, he's showing you the facts about his country's health care system. It's impressive and at times emotionally draining.

We may complain about our own health care system a lot, but I don't think people will do so as much after seeing this film.

- Derek