Sicko
No. we are not talking about another slasher flick which decided to cash in on Psycho. Most people who have not heard of the film will be forgiven if they thought that. But Sicko is actually a documentary film that is based on the American health care sector. Those not living in America think of it as the land of opportunities and can’t wait to get there. They think that everything in America is superbly perfect and this includes the health care. All you have to do is get medical insurance and then you are set for life, right?
Rating: 3.5/5
Wrong. This is exactly what Michael Moore shows us in his gruesome and black documentary titled Sicko. The documentary opens with the interview of a man who lost two fingers in an accident and had to choose which one he wanted reattached because he had no money for both. But then again, this man did not have insurance and Michael proceeds to tell us that this documentary is not about men like him; it is about those who actually have medical insurance. But this does not mean that they have not suffered. For a zillion reasons, their claims have been rejected and they have faced immense problems because the system did not care if they lived or died.
Michael Moore in Sicko
The cases that have been shown are shocking – there have been two deaths caused because the company did not think the disease was life threatening – it was breast cancer and both women perished. A woman denied claim because she did not inform the company immediately – she was unconscious after meeting with a serious accident. These are just a few examples of the shocking and unbelievable lengths that insurance companies go to just to refuse a claim. Moore has shown us a gory picture where the health care sector is not for the welfare of the citizens, but is a private enterprise that is treated like all other businesses are – maximize profits and minimize losses, what ever be the stakes. Cases where doctors have been given incentives to reject claims have been brought to light and you get to see something that makes you uncomfortable and scared.
A scene from the documentary – Sicko
Sicko is a documentary which faces a lot of flack from the sector itself. There are people attacking the intentions of the director and choose to delve into his past and use his previous record as proof of his insanity. But I ask you this, does it really matter what he did in the past? Here too, it is important to add that he did make some ground breaking films and documentaries like Roger and me, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine. There are mistake that he made, but this one sees very little of him. In fact, he has handled the entire process as objectively as possible and has been most professional with the facts that he reports. Moore reminds us that America actually ranks 37th when it comes to health care and asks those against him one very clever question. How is it that while everything else of public importance is under the public sector, something as vital as healthcare is left to the private sector? Sadly, there is no answer.
So if you want my honest opinion, this is a film that you must see – it is unpleasant, gory, disgusting and rips at your gut. This is precisely why you should watch it because then you will know how bad it is out there.
Rating: 3.5/5
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