Review of Sicko (2007) by Matthew O — 11 Mar 2010

Michael Moore's new documentary sets out to investigate the American healthcare system. Sticking to his tried-and-true one-man approach, Moore sheds light on the complicated medical affairs of individuals and local communities.

Michael Moore shows the U.S health service to be in a mess. With a number of scenes showing a failing in the health service due to greed from private company?s and soaring prices in health attention.

An opening scene of a man In a dire mess with a health bill, after an accident the price of saving the replacement of two fingers is so much he has to choice which finger to keep and which finger to lose is quite striking, and sets the tone for the documentary.

Of course this is standard Michael Moore, evidence is twisted to fight his case, check out the scene where Moore visits both London and Paris. The evidence is there that these countries pay for the health service though taxes, but this is only briefly mentioned and skimmed over, and Moore pictures both countries getting everything for free. Also we have the big stunt in the climax of the documentary, where Michael Moore attempts to break into Guantanamo bay. Still the climax Cuba climax does produce and off the cuff touching closing moment.

The problem as with all of Mr Moore's documentaries is that they are always one sided and never attempt to get a balanced view for the content covered, which ultimately although entertaining, emotional and interesting leaves an air of in complication.