The backlash has begun against Michael Moore. The film-maker has highlighted hypocrisies in U.S. gun laws, shown the devastating effects of US industry closures, spoken out against the war in Iraq and holds views, which put him, in his own words, "squarely in the middle of the mainstream majority."
Yet several films have emerged criticising him. The most prominent is Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine's recent Manufacturing Dissent , which claims that Moore has fabricated parts of his documentaries and bent the truth to make his films fit his own arguments.
Perhaps it's Moore's sheer ubiquity that's got them riled. Perhaps it's his hyperbolic film-making style. Or perhaps it's his ever-so-slightly condescending voice-overs and emotionally manipulative editing that teases every ounce of sentiment from his subjects.
Well, all of the above are abundant in SiCKO , Moore's latest expose, this time unmasking America's health insurance system.
It's a soft target, obviously, and Moore's usual "things are much better in other countries" comparative is used extensively as he travels to Canada, France and Britain to contrast their health systems with America's.
But what's most interesting is the seemingly endemic corruption in the health insurance industry, as politicians are bought off by unscrupulous companies to force through legislation that will make them more powerful, and doctors in their employ are made to cite technicalities so that payouts can be avoided.
As ever, Moore uses ironic music, shocking case studies and direct action to make his case. The film culminates with a much-reported visit to Guantanamo Bay with sick aid workers who became ill volunteering at Ground Zero on 9/11 but were refused health coverage for their illnesses in the U.S. Moore takes them to Cuba to see if they can be treated at the prison's plush hospital.
The film mounts a convincing attack that leaves you panting for change in the U.S. And there lies the rub: whatever you think of Michael Moore, his films are more than mere documentaries; they are calls to action. Yes, they're one-sided, but it's a side worth fighting for.
SiCKO shows up the endemic selfishness in North American society that has created the sorry situation its health care system is now in. It articulates a complex argument in an accessible way, with humour, insight and heart. What's wrong with that?
Four stars out of five
Feeds