A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

The Evaluation System Reviews by Title Reviews by Date

Reviews from Video Reviews of the Classics Personal Background

Title: Sicko

Date Viewed: 7/8/07

Details:

Written, directed & produced by: Michael Moore

Score: +

The Review: If you think of documentaries as video op-ed's, then you have the appropriate attitude to appreciate Sicko, Michael Moore's latest diatribe against the US health care industry and paean for the benefits of the nationalized systems from Canada, Britain, France and (yes) Cuba. There's at least one sequence with more than a bit of grandstanding, something that will have you cringing in your seats, but when you see the direction it's going, you'll understand. Whether you agree, is a different matter. But op-ed's don't require agreement, merely a hearing.

Some disclosure is required here, since in my day job I do work for the research division of a large pharmaceutical company. But I need not protest too much, for "big Pharma" is dealt with almost not at all. Sicko is primarily an attack on the US version of privatized, competitive (definitely not single-payer), managed health care system and its problems in balancing being a profit-making institution with providing appropriate care to a broadly heterogeneous population.

Is it entertaining? Occasionally; one or two cringes will not spoil the fun. Informative? Likely; its view of health care systems outside the US borders is definitely of interest, even if only to compare and contrast. Accurate? I cannot assess this; from personal stories, some of the problems of the US system appear accurate, if appalling. For other systems, I can only watch and do my research later. Balanced? Of course not!, but that's not why you read the editorial page.

Is it interesting? Try this plot out for size -- "A crime is committed, and the malfeasant is caught & punished." Does this interest you? Unlikely. The story is in the telling, and in Sicko, there are several stories interwoven, well told.

But does it have an impact? Definitely. And is it useful? As with all op-eds, its usefulness is in the successful exposure of an alternate viewpoint, so yes. Go forth and learn more.

(21-Jul-07)

Back to the chronological list of reviews