MICHAEL MOORE'S "SICKO" - EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW

04-09-2007

With "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "Bowling For Columbine", Michael Moore turned politically conscious documentary into blockbuster material. Birmingham baseball fan Damien Doran, currently in the States following Boston Red Sox, takes time out to watch Moore's latest release.

"Sicko" may sound like a bad 1980s slasher movie but is the new Michael Moore documentary which opened in America at the end of June. It was hard to track down, but worth all the effort.

This time Moore turns his attention to the US healthcare industry highlighting the financial ruin and health effects faced by people who cannot afford to pay medical bills.

The film details how the American Healthcare industry was formed and the methods used to deny the payments covering people in need.

There is a chilling tape of Nixon being informed of the proposed new system by his aide John Ehrlichman in which he explains how healthcare can be run for profit, "The less care they give them, the more money they make" the transcript reads.

Back in 2006 Moore placed a message on his website calling on people to give him their healthcare horror stories. Thousands came in and a number form the backbone of the film in very personal and emotionally disturbing ways.

For us with our NHS, despite all its faults, it is difficult to comprehend.

Using the now familiar Moore style of talkover, stunts, humour, interviews and TV clips we are hit with wave upon wave of facts and images. There is one particularly shocking scene in which a woman is captured on CCTV being dumped by taxi at a refuge shelter in a hospital gown because she could no longer pay her bills.

Moore travels to Canada, France and dear old Britain to find an alternative.

He meets doctors, patients and even Tony Benn who explains the formation of the NHS.

There is no mention of MRSA or the state we believe the health service to be in. But there is no denying that at least we have a system available to all and this is what Moore advocates should be available to all Americans.

The film is targeted at domestic consumption and hits the spot with Moore's usual sledgehammer.

Watching with an American audience gives a whole new perspective. When the film is released in the UK we will no doubt be shocked, horrified and amused by the American healthcare system, but here they roar with laughter at such absurd notions as prescription charges at £6.35, maternity leave and sick pay. Just see Moore visit the cashier at an NHS hospital!

Oh how they laughed!

The film climaxes with Moore taking a group of 9/11 rescue workers who cannot get care at home to Guantanamo Bay where health care is free for prisoners - "All they want is the same treatment as Al Qaeda".

They then receive hospital treatment in Cuba for which Moore is being investigated by the US Treasury Department for violating the US embargo of the country.

As with his previous films Moore has been inundated with criticisms which are discussed and rebutted on his website.

His work is always worth watching and this is up with the best of them. Go and see it - at least it will make sure you buy travel insurance next time you visit America.