Half Moon Bay’s Coastside Film Society: Sicko
“A fascinating exploration and powerful indictment of a pressing national problem. This is Moore’s biggest, best and most impassioned work.” — Claudia Puig, USA Today
Half Moon Bay’s Coastside Film Society: Sicko— is a presentation of activist filmmaker Michael Moore’s unabashed critique of the American for-profit healthcare system. Yes, Moore predictably bemoans the plight of the 50 million Americans who have no health coverage, but the heart of this movie is the collection of stories of middle-class Americans who thought they had great healthcare coverage until the moment they got sick.
Moore “clearly articulates his point of view. You know where he stands on this issue. … But, to be fair, he very wisely presents AMA spokespersons, doctors and other people who claim socialized medicine puts health care into the hands of the government, and that’s a very bad idea. Moore’s films are always well-made, timely, thought-provoking and about subjects that really matter. … This is a film you must see.” — Jennifer Merin, About.com
Moore clearly believes that socialized healthcare systems always provide better outcomes than capitalist ones. To prove his point Moore travels to Canada, Cuba, England and France, where he talks to doctors and patients who seem quite happy with the treatment they are receiving. Given that this is Michael Moore you have to expect a few on-screen gimmicks — like when he brings a collection of 911 responders with no coverage to Cuba to get free treatment.
“Though the focus occasionally strays, the film emerges as a fascinating exploration and powerful indictment of a pressing national problem. This is Moore’s biggest, best and most impassioned work. And while he probes a vitally serious subject and makes a case for widespread reform, he does so with lighthearted flourishes — large doses of humor, clever use of film footage and a catchy soundtrack. These assets, along with well-chosen interview subjects, make Sicko a film that will arouse surprise, outrage, sadness and heated discussion.” — Claudia Puig, USA Today
“Moore’s films usually make conservatives angry. This one is likely to strike home with anyone, left or right, who has had serious illness in the family.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
The film is rated PG-13. Running time: 123 minutes.
On the Web:
Friday, October 21, 8 p.m. Community United Methodist Sanctuary
777 Miramontes St., Half Moon Bay (corner of Johnston Street
