I saw Sicko last night and got exactly what I expected: bold sweeping statements without much room for nuances and subtle shades of gray. But then again I don’t believe that there is a place for nuances and subtle shades of gray when it comes to America’s healthcare system because it is royally fucked. It doesn’t serve the people without health insurance, that much has always been clear, but it lets down the people with health insurance too and this aspect may be more eye-opening for people who see the film. People in the cinema were gasping when they saw what you get for free in the UK and France and then I realized that I was amazed too even though I lived under that system for years. It’s funny how quickly ones expectations and horizons change. I’ve only been in the US for 2 and a half years and I already take so much of the healthcare situation here as a given, rather than as a corrupt and broken system that needs desperately to change.
It was so wonderful to hear Tony Benn passionately describing and defending the British NHS system. I was moved through much of the film but it was Benn’s segment that got me the most somehow. I guess I’d just forgotten that some politicians can be like that, and still be like that after a life in politics!
I really do urge people to see this film (she says sounding like a schoolteacher!). You might have to swallow hard during some of the more overtly Moore-ish moments but he has made a really important film and I hope that people are outraged when they see it, and that this outrage turns to action. It does everybody a disservice to live in a nation this rich with such a crap healthcare system.

Ok, lecture over. AJ Schnack has taken bets on how well the film will perform, including an incredibly undecided vote from me. I’m not sure how well it will hold up against other Summer blockbusters but I sincerely hope that my vote is wrong and that Sicko soars through the roof. It will be nice when more people can share my outrage rather than muttering words like “socialism” (run for the hills!) under their breath when this issue comes up in conversation, which it does rather often if I’m in the room!