Michael Moore and SICKO in Seattle last night
I attended the Seattle showing last night of Michael Moore's new documentary SiCKO.
The movie follows Moore's usual m.o. of showing the hypocrisy, mixing comedy and heartfelt drama, while delivering a point: this time that America's health care is sick, full of corruption and desperately needing change. Moore then addressed the crowd following the credits
The movie followed the similar script that Moore used in Fahrenheit 911, Bowling for Columbine, and Roger and Me. Moore is at times the principal actor, he makes some corporate CEO's and elected politicians look like the incompetent, greedy assholes that they probably are, though there seemed to be less "stunts" in this movie. There were times I laughed out loud in the movie. Moore has a comedian's touch and used outtakes of GW Bush speeches and his own sarcastic wit to make a point. Moore tugs at the heartstrings too, slowing the pace and letting your emotions connect with those on the screen who are affected by this broken system of health care that is America 2007. If you did not leave the movie all riled up and wanting to go punch a CEO of one of the health care companies then you are either one of the CEO's of the health care companies or a better man than I, cause I was enraged.
But really this is nothing new. I have been fighting for affordable health care for several years now and know all these stories. In fact, there was a lot that Moore left out. But how many anecdotes can you have in two hours? And one of my complaints with the movie is that Moore did not necessarily offer a solution. He just offered up a way of telling this story. And thank God he did, because for two hours millions of people will see this and think about it. They may even make it into the issue in the 2008 elections. Following the movie, Moore engaged in a Q & A with the audience for about 45 minutes. He commented on his former affection for Hillary Clinton but her war votes and weakness for donations from pharmaceutical and HMO lobbyists has convinced Moore she is not worthy of his endorsement. He ten commented that he has not endorsed anyone for president but talked for a while about Al Gore's correct stances on the war, health care and the environment which, in my eyes, amounted to a de facto endorsement for Al, if he should run. A few asked "What can we do?" and Moore offered up to join an organization that is fighting for affordable health care. Without putting words into his mouth, he also alluded to that people will come together to find a solution, almost apologetically. Well Moore isn't the leader and doesn't need to be. He is the jester that made us laugh and care. He provided a very artistic way to look at America's biggest domestic crisis. But I am still wanting a leader, a solution. After digesting this movie overnight, I think it will make an impact. Probably not the impact that everyone thinks it will. The corporate offices of Humana and Kaiser Permanente will probably not burn to the ground in a revolt that even the French would be proud of. Moore will be labeled a leftist commie pinko and every spin machine will be turning this into a fantasy of left-wing propaganda rather than what it is: two hours of really good questions that probably won't get answered. And I don't see any of the Republican leadership addressing these questions and certainly not the likes of Clinton, Obama, Reid, Pelosi or even Edwards. One thought I had was "As much as I like Moore, but knowing his reputation, what if this documentary had been made by someone like Oprah or Tom Hanks?"
This movie won't launch a needed revolution regarding health care, but I think it will push the agenda and we need to thank Michael Moore for that.
Michael Moore and SICKO in Seattle last night | 4 comments (4 topical)
Michael Moore and SICKO in Seattle last night | 4 comments (4 topical)
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