Sicko

A little bit weaker three stars. This time Michael Moore chose a topic that the average Central European is undoubtedly much less interested in than George Bush. Plus, it's not nearly as funny as his previous films, but it's still a decent documentary. (28.10.2007)

How it turns out when an incorrigible demagogue starts looking into the health care system. Michael Moore can be reproached for many things, but his obvious talent as a filmmaker is not one of them. Working with music, camera, editing, precise use of levity and touching moments - all this is perfect. Just a joy to watch. Sicko is a well-crafted Moore movie that captivates with its theme and production, but the problems are its length, the introductory part before the trip to the world, and, above all, demagoguery and "black and white" thinking. But enough is enough: this time Moore went too far, underestimating the viewer. Here, the degree to which information is artfully taken out of context and focused only on those areas of the problem that suit him, at certain moments grows into an outright lie that is actively annoying. Any positive impression you might take away from this documentary fizzles out completely, as will this review... (18.11.2007)

Moore kept it cruelly simple this time. How fucked up the American insurance and health care system is a matter of common knowledge and pretty much unimaginable to people in Europe. However, after Fahrenheit 9/11, I was glad to see his documentary again because he brought back some pretty spot-on humor. It's still leftist to all get-out, but appealing. The trip to Cuba is truly going to the extreme; on the other hand, his unwillingness to find out more about the systems set up by what he regards as "fairy tale countries" like Britain and France cannot be overlooked. Indeed, he might as well have gushed about the Czech health care system, and I'd be happy to meet his staff somewhere in a Motol waiting room. However, I consider the short montage about the life and indebtedness of an American citizen to be a total highlight of this documentary, which is überfunny and incredibly true. Otherwise, I forgive Moore's cheap pathos for once, because he is obviously trying to appeal to Americans specifically and it takes a lot of subversive methods to wake them up from their lethargy (like the Czechs). And it doesn't even help. (18.04.2011)

This document got to me as well. It's a beautiful perspective on how freedom means something different everywhere. Michael Moore looks at the facts from his own point of view, and even if he distorts them a bit, the events and facts he contrasts are definitely worth reflecting on. Actually, we can still be grateful for the healthcare we have. Sometimes it's not a miracle, but we still have a greater certainty that at least we will be examined. (21.03.2014)