Sicko: Michael Moore, Documentary, Awards, United States, Health Care System And Health Insurance

When people think about who they believe to be the most dominating filmmaker in the documentary arena, Michael Moore's name often stands as the only one to enter the conversation. Simply put, the man's films have become box office smashes, almost despite the nonfiction presentation, and certainly despite the frequently criticized approach of Michael Moore. Regardless of the arguably pointed political commentary in films past, Michael Moore's most recent film, “Sicko,” touches on an important issue Moore clearly believes should affect all Americans, no matter their political affiliations.

Micheal Moore's film takes a very close look at the American health care system and tries to discern all that has grown wrong with it in recent decades. One of the major complaints levied against the American system, regards actions of health insurance companies inhibiting people from obtaining medical care. Moore traces the policy of private health care back to Nixon's idea of making more money by offering less care. Essentially, the drive for profit intended to impede people from saving lives in the hospital setting. Depending on one's perspective, a poignant or outrageous moment in the Michael Moore film regards taking World Trade Center victims to Cuba to receive treatment the United States government refused to offer them. Michael Moore illustrates how a formidable enemy to the American government offered health care to those suffering from a universally acknowledged tragedy when they otherwise could not afford it, shaming both the government and the public at large in America for allowing such a thing to occur.

Still, though reviews so often criticized Michael Moore for only presenting one side of the truth in previous films, “Sicko” endeavors to give a more comprehensive, and probably even more disheartening, view of the American health care system. From the health insurance perspective, the documentary offers testimonials from former HMO employees who had to leave their positions due to disgust at turning down health care for those in need. In addition, besides visiting Cuba for health care, much to the government's ire, Michael Moore also visits France, Canada, and Britain, all countries offering health care to all of their respective citizens. Once again, Moore's ability to shame not just the US government, but the voting public as well, makes the point regarding the failing health care in America that much more visceral.

Through the years, Michael Moore's films have often been lightning rods for criticism, largely because of the controversial issues he covers. Inadequate health care, though, poses a threat to a vast majority of Americans, insured or otherwise. Hence, the film makes for one of Michael Moore's perhaps least controversial films but also possibly his important one; a film whose message intends to help save all Americans, apparently because hospitals sometimes must refuse to do so.

Sources:
Johnson, Maryann. "Calling the Peasants to Revolt." FlickFilosopher.Com. 21 June 2007. FlickFilosopher.Com. 28 Sept. 2007 http://www.flickfilosopher.com/blog/2007/06/sicko_ review.html.

"SiCKO: About the Film." MichaelMoore.Com. 28 Sept. 2007 http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/about/synopsis/.

Travers, Peter. "Sicko." Rolling Stone.Com. 13 June 2007. Rolling Stone. 28 Sept. 2007 http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/14706803 /review/15039821/sicko.