← Back to Reviews
in
SiCKO (2007, Michael Moore)
3/5
So, the big-boned agitator turns his attention to the deficiencies in US Healthcare...
I can't bring myself to hate Big Mike, I really can't. Sure, he's never knowingly under-promoted, is found to have been factually pliable and he has an annoying knack for lowest common denominator shock tactics but there's no getting away from the emotional wallop that his films pack.
I'm not an American and thus I had no voice in voting in (or out) any of your political leaders so I'm not gonna sit here and smugly lord it over people who can agree/disagree with what Moore is trying to say from experience.
Firstly, it was marvellous to see Tony Benn being given screen time - If I ever lost my mind to the extent that I had a political hero, the former Anthony Wedgewood-Benn would be pretty high in my thoughts. As ever, he speaks sense - I wonder if his son (the inappropriately-named Hilary) will carry half the weight of his father?
Secondly, I have a working knowledge of the British NHS - not only am I a long term recipient but my sister is a nurse and my late uncle was a doctor. Sure, it has its flaws but (and this goes out to the non-BritFos who've not travelled across the pond) the experience is pretty much as depicted in SiCKO. For once, Moore doesn't need to grandstand.
I've also had some experience of the French Healthcare system and, yes, MM paints an accurate picture.
Of course, this wouldn't be a Michael Moore film without some embarrassingly low brow stunts and my stomach took a slight lurch whenever that boat launched for Cuba...
There are many more skilful and subtle documentary filmmakers out there but few, if any, who get people actually talking. And talking, it seems to me, is what we need to be doing on this issue.
This doctor drives an Audi. Big flippin' tickle.
I drive a Citroen and don't see Mr Michael So-Called Moore clamouring to make a film about me!
3/5
So, the big-boned agitator turns his attention to the deficiencies in US Healthcare...
I can't bring myself to hate Big Mike, I really can't. Sure, he's never knowingly under-promoted, is found to have been factually pliable and he has an annoying knack for lowest common denominator shock tactics but there's no getting away from the emotional wallop that his films pack.
I'm not an American and thus I had no voice in voting in (or out) any of your political leaders so I'm not gonna sit here and smugly lord it over people who can agree/disagree with what Moore is trying to say from experience.
Firstly, it was marvellous to see Tony Benn being given screen time - If I ever lost my mind to the extent that I had a political hero, the former Anthony Wedgewood-Benn would be pretty high in my thoughts. As ever, he speaks sense - I wonder if his son (the inappropriately-named Hilary) will carry half the weight of his father?
Secondly, I have a working knowledge of the British NHS - not only am I a long term recipient but my sister is a nurse and my late uncle was a doctor. Sure, it has its flaws but (and this goes out to the non-BritFos who've not travelled across the pond) the experience is pretty much as depicted in SiCKO. For once, Moore doesn't need to grandstand.
I've also had some experience of the French Healthcare system and, yes, MM paints an accurate picture.
Of course, this wouldn't be a Michael Moore film without some embarrassingly low brow stunts and my stomach took a slight lurch whenever that boat launched for Cuba...
There are many more skilful and subtle documentary filmmakers out there but few, if any, who get people actually talking. And talking, it seems to me, is what we need to be doing on this issue.
This doctor drives an Audi. Big flippin' tickle.
I drive a Citroen and don't see Mr Michael So-Called Moore clamouring to make a film about me!