After exploring the predominance of violence in American culture in Bowling for Columbine and taking a critical look at the September 11th attacks in Fahrenheit 9/11, activist filmmaker Michael Moore turns his attentions toward the topic of health care in the United States in this documentary that weighs the plight of the uninsured (and the insured who must deal with abuse from insurance companies) against the record-breaking profits of the pharmaceutical industry.

Moore interviews a number of people who have been left broke by medical bills even though they were fully insured, and explains how the corporate drive for profits has left numerous people in financial and medical disarray. After hearing that detainees in Guantanamo have access to free health care, Moore assembles a group of World Trade Center rescue workers to travel to Cuba in order to get the medical help they need for ailments they incurred in 2001. Moore’s film debuted at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Imagine a world where the rich come to play and the poor come to pay thousands of dollars a month to stay alive for a meesly bottle of pills. That’s SICKO. The first non ‘in your face’ documentary from Michael Moore. A family friendly film you could say. But don’t expect not to ball your eyes out when a dazed woman is thrown out of a car from the hospital she was in because of lack of funds. Moore even lets the story unfold without him. He shows up 18 minutes into the film! (Barnes & Noble)

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Following on the heels of his Palm d’Or winning Fahrenheit 9/11 and his Oscar winning film Bowling for Columbine, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore’s new documentary sets out to investigate the American healthcare system. Michael Moore has a way filming what we are all suffering in this time of unprecedented greed and apathy. He does this with truth and with humor so it is no surprise that some reactionary types will use disinformation to steer you away from this film.

One of the caveats is learn why you are told by big brother the French are Bad, Bad. Moore has a special treat for us during the credits. This film deals with Healthcare in America, Canada, England and France. In a country that wanted to fix its problem it should be aired on ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and PBS let’s see how soon that happens.

Sicko will make you sick (from what you learn), and laugh till your sick (from some great set pieces). Whatever your political stripe, whether you love or despise Michael, the message and info in this film will touch you. Unlike Farenheit 9/11, this film is not particularly partisan, though there are a couple quick digs at Bush. This is a film of fundamental humanitarian values, that transcends petty political bickering. It speaks to central common denominators of being human. (Amazon)