Review of Sicko (2007) by Nathanl. — 24 Jun 2007

Michael Moore is the greatest documentary filmaker in the business today and although I do not believe this is his very best film, I do believe it is the first one to truely have a chance to inflict change.

There are many people who downplay Moore's films because they quite obviously have an agenda and a film with an agenda, that is filled with opinions must have no presedence when it comed to the search for truth.

Sounds like a viable arguement, however it is highly inaccurate. Moore's supposed half truths, are backed up by tons of medical and financial evidence that can be researched to what will feel like no end.

If Moore was to sit and go over this endless stream of facts, than he would be an informative individual and probably work well as a journalist on Frontline, but not much of a filmmaker. What makes Moore such an exceptional filmmaker is his ability to entertain as well as educate.

I laughed, I cried, and I clapped more than at any movie I've been to this year. This gives you facts and opinions from not only journalists, but people. In fact the majority of the evidence in this film is provided by people.

Whether it is French telling you how wonderful there system is or Americans telling you there horror stories or a former British Parliament speaker explaining why socialized medicine works in our nation but not in theres, we are given an overwhelming amount people telling you the truth about there personal experience in healthcare.

This is what seperates this film from any previous film and makes it the vehicle that it is. It is Moore's ability to connect us with each individual personally and give a face to the stories we have heard.

This makes it much harder to just ignore it and go along with your day. And on top of all this Moore, as usual, has his end sequence where he appears as the leader of a movement. Much like he did in Columbine and 911 ( taking the shot children of Columbine to K-Mart to get rid of bullets and asking Senators and Congressman in Washington to sign up there kids for the war effort with Cpl Henderson) Moore gets a large group together to make a point.

This time it is to get 9/11 rescue workers the care there country is not giving them. This turns out to be the most effective effort Moore has ever shot on Camera. Moore is a documentary filmmamker unlike any other.

A man who makes highly informative work that can be enjoyed as entertainment and not just watched as education. I have come to look forward to Moore's movies as much as I look forward to a summer blockbuster.

It is sad that Mr. Moore is someone to look forward to, but as long as there are problems with this country there is a call for someone to push change. I can't think of a better person.