"SiCKO" (Documentary) (2007) - Movie Review

At an age wherein health comes as a secondary issue and also in a world running so fast and self centered, “SiCKO”, the documentary film from the director Michael Moore cannot be more appropriate and necessary at this point of time. It explores the system of health care employed in the United States. It exposes the devious nature of it wherein “taking care” comes next to “making profits” by the corporation. It says that there is an existence of philosophy in a work culture with the career ladder being based upon the denials to provide health care to the people. This is the work culture a particular health care company is said to have by a person who worked there. Along with this, Moore brings out solid issues with the addressing and editing technique of his to feel from terrifically entertaining to be in shock, because some of us may be the “soon to be victim” or some of us are already a victim of the system he says.

Michael Moore is known for his serious representation of hot issues in a manner of his own humour and sarcasms. He has the knack of arranging the frames which makes total sense. The truth seems to be clearer and shockingly horrifying in his way of film making. Documentaries always affect more on a movie per se since it is all live pictures. It is happening in front of you and it is known it is true. Regardless of whether there lie more unknown factors to it, the issue in hand gets it focus in right way. When lot of people in the movie talk about their health problems and how their entire life got spoiled by the bills coming from the hospital and their health insurance was rejecting it, we forget who they are as a person. We do not care about how they are deep inside. They are people and the layer of getting help when down is universal. This is a world with a system. This is a system of existence wherein coping up with each other and living together form the human kind. In a world today it does not seem to apply, or at least in United States as Michael Moore says. At one point of the movie he says, “Who are we?” Yes, who are we? What are we doing in a system like that? That’s the point it is realized that this movie is more than dethroning the health care system existing in the country of US. The film reminds us of the humanity being taken away in the process of living in a system which encourages and follows independence in every action. The Independence which has become more of a wall in between each of us than to care. The misconception of it to form an opinion of “me” rather than “we” as Moore says.

Moore has the voice of aggressiveness and clear to address the issue. It is so aggressive because his frustration is visible in it. His frustration is tightened and channeled right at the way in the movie as he wants it to. At the same time his personality of having the agreeable sarcastic sense of humour comes out necessary as well. His humour always aims at a purpose of achievement. It makes to strike the beat in rhythmic sensible fashion. And then the whole issue of him being allegedly said of violating the United States embargo against Cuba seems to elevate the movie further. That’s exactly what he wants. We realize that he means what he appeals for when he takes the 9/11 rescuers to Cuba for treatment. Yes, Cuba. The place every one has been said that is against US. Moore brightens the light over there. Hearing, seeing and reading does not forms the opinion. It is the personal encounter of each person with the other in the remote part of globe which stamps the notion of who or how he/she is.

Moore as his earlier movies compares the system with other countries. In “Bowling for Columbine” he went on to Canada. Out here he embarks to different various locations in the world. He goes to UK, France and Cuba and of course Canada. Everywhere the health system is so nourishing and serving the people 24/7. Sure he does not explore other system of it, but as he says, it is good to see the good and take the good than the bad. His effort is honest. As a person or his philosophy or behaviour does not come in the picture which generally tends to form as an opinion of single entity. While this film is an opinion of him, the scale at which he takes the analysis and presentation gives the proper recognition for it.

The film correctly makes us see the US which is considered the land of opportunities in a way of feeling sorry for the people in it. But is it the reason of big corporations alone? How did this whole thing run without the participation of people? And Moore correctly says that people think about the “me” factor and hope for the best. The fight is individual in some cases but in a world of fast technologies and loose emotions, let alone the Health Care Company but this seem to be the perfect platform for any corporation to make profit. The concern for any thing other than the whole business as such is getting shelved over profits. Moore addresses more problems than Health Care but it is the single most essential issue for any one regardless of any factors – “To Live”.