Review of You Don't Know Jack (2010) by Wes H — 23 Aug 2010

This is one of those few movies that is bound to make you really angry after all is said and done. Personal beliefs aside, it's a really solid, entertaining, well acted piece of filmmaking featuring what is probably the most understated performance from Al Pacino in years. Whoo-hah! Just great all around; an almost perfect "bio" film.

Everything is really great. The story is interesting and unique, and based on true events apparently, it's all shot beautifully, is extremely well acted, and is actually quite hilarious in parts, which I wasn't expecting at all. Most importantly, though, it tells a story that needed to be told.

The only thing I didn't like about the film is that it was a little too "on the nose" at times. It followed the typical story telling arc of "protagonist has idea, protagonist implements idea, encounters resistances, prevails, yadda yadda," along with the same kinds of scenes and dialogue you've seen hundreds of times before in similar such bio films. This isn't a huge issue, and probably won't even be noticeable to most, but it's all too safe for my taste. It's still a good movie, though.

It actually reminded me a lot of the book "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" in the sense that it took a controversial, even hated figure and not only humanized him, but explained his motivations in a supportive, respectful, rational manner.

Regardless of what you think of Jack Kevorkian's medical practices, you can't help but sympathize with a man who, ultimately, was only trying to help people. Which is what makes the ending so frustrating.

The man risks his neck time and time again for the sake of his patients, and he gets nothing but hostility, hatred, and incarceration in return. The last court case is a perfect example of just how broken the judicial system in the United States is. ***SPOILERS** He gets imprisoned on a technicality, all because the lawyers opposing him manipulate the system and back him into a corner he isn't able to escape from. And the final statement by the judge is the most insulting, self righteous variation on "this is what happens when you don't shut up and do as your told" I've ever heard. Are we living in a dictatorship here? Bunch of crap. ***END SPOILERS**.

Kevorkian is a hero in my eyes. You may disagree, but I don't care. The man's actions were not only brave, but necessary if we are to ever break completely from the shackles of outdated religious dogma. His imprisonment was a serious blow to both healthcare and human rationality alike, and serves as a warning that we still very much live in a society of ignorance and superstition.

Worth watching. But man, will it make you angry. Or so it did me. Grr.