Sicko (2007)

93% of critics liked it
(202 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(237,063 ratings)

After exploring the predominance of violence in American culture in Bowling for Columbine and taking a critical look at the September 11th attacks in Fahrenheit 9/11, activist filmmaker Michael Moore turns his attentions toward the topic of health care in the United States in this documentary that… More After exploring the predominance of violence in American culture in Bowling for Columbine and taking a critical look at the September 11th attacks in Fahrenheit 9/11, activist filmmaker Michael Moore turns his attentions toward the topic of health care in the United States in this documentary that weighs the plight of the uninsured (and the insured who must deal with abuse from insurance companies) against the record-breaking profits of the pharmaceutical industry. Moore interviews a number of people who have been left broke by medical bills even though they were fully insured, and explains how the corporate drive for profits has left numerous people in financial and medical disarray. After hearing that detainees in Guantanamo have access to free health care, Moore assembles a group of World Trade Center rescue workers to travel to Cuba in order to get the medical help they need for ailments they incurred in 2001. Moore's film debuted at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Michael Moore
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jun 29, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Nov 6, 2007
Studio: The Weinstein Company

Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
If other countries can provide their people with universal health care, why can't we? If we can't, who are we?
Claudia Puig, USA Today
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.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
One may quibble with Mr. Moore's anecdotal oversimplifications and his xenophilic fantasies, but he has struck a socio-psychic nerve in the body politic, generating a feeling of outrage that seems to be reverberating in every theater.
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
This is a movie to see in a theater. It'a group experience. All through the show you'll hear people laughing, crying, muttering, cheering, sighing, swearing, and gasping. And at the end, chances are they'll be on their feet applauding.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Sicko is worth seeing -- as long as the big grain of salt needed for it is put on more than just the popcorn.
Dana Stevens, Slate
Even Moore's worst ideological enemies would be hard put to dispute the basic argument of his new film Sicko: The American health-care system is a sick joke and has been for a very long time.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
While much of Sicko is certainly propaganda, that should not deter anyone from seeing it or giving some credence to what Moore is saying, because what he is talking about is very real and very important.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Saddening while it still bristles with satire, "Sicko" does dodge some of the larger political questions about healthcare reform. Plus, the Cuba stunt mars what is, up to that point, a relatively stunt-free film.
Ian Buckwalter, DCist
Moore depoliticizes the health care crisis by humanizing it, and drops the polemic in favor of a plea: for us to care about each other a little more.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
By now, it should only matter that Moore has been right about every social ill he's addressed.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
ranks among [Moore's] best
Kat Brown, thelondonpaper
Laughs are thin on the ground, but this is a must-see by a film-maker at the height of his powers.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The body politic deserves a finer thermometer than Michael Moore's camera
Jennifer Merin, About.com
Michael Moore takes on the US health care system. His in your face style may annoy some people, but he lets you know he's in favor of socialized medicine and, to be fair, he wisely presents AMA spokespersons, doctors and others who claim put health care i
Sean Gandert, Paste Magazine
For the first time, the targets of Moore's film need not fear the bearded, heavyset man; instead they should be worried about his audience.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Michael Moore takes on the healthcare system.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...primarily comes off as an uneven effort that's sporadically as superfluous as it is interesting...
Jeff Bayer, The Scorecard Review
Moore's mere presence becomes politicizing, but this film attempts to make people realize the health of people in this country should have nothing to do with income and politics.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Of all the documentaries directed by Michael Moore, I felt that Sicko was one of his more lazy efforts. Though the film tackles another important subject matter, I really didn't think that much about the film. I thought it was entertaining, but compared other documentaries that… More
Of all the documentaries directed by Michael Moore, I felt that Sicko was one of his more lazy efforts. Though the film tackles another important subject matter, I really didn't think that much about the film. I thought it was entertaining, but compared other documentaries that Michael Moore has directed, Sicko is my least favorite. I enjoyed the film, but I also felt that Michael Moore was showing signs of running out of things to say with his documentaries. I felt Sicko navigated the usual territory that Michael Moore travels through. The film definitely is entertaining and exposes yet another important issue, however compared to Fahrenheit 9/11 or Bowling for Columbine, this documentary isn't that great. I much preferred Moore's other documentaries. Sicko tackles the American health care system, and though it's an interesting documentary, I felt there was something missing. The film definitely showed us the realities of the American health care system.Sicko is entertaining, funny and sad at times. The film criticizes the health care system of America, and Moore outlines his points perfectly. However at the same time, it's clear that Michael Moore is running out of ideas How far can you take the criticism that everything that is the USA? I personally feel Moore has explored every bit of the subject matter. Sicko is worth watching, but is not as engaging as his previous works.
Sophie B

Very interesting look into the world of the American health care. Michael Moore is very convincing but that's kind of the problem as if he stating his opinion or is what he's saying true?
Mike S

Shocking to say the least. Once again, Michael Moore makes me happy I'm not an American citizen. It's truly sad to see that the wealthiest country in the world treats it people like disposable garbage. Not quite as good and enjoyable as Moore's previous films, but still… More
Shocking to say the least. Once again, Michael Moore makes me happy I'm not an American citizen. It's truly sad to see that the wealthiest country in the world treats it people like disposable garbage. Not quite as good and enjoyable as Moore's previous films, but still a very touching and relevant documentary that I think everyone should see (especially members of the American government). Even though Moore may not be entirely objective, he makes some very good points that we can all relate to. This movie is definitely going to arouse a lot of debate and hopefully it will make a change for the better.
Wildaly M

Interesting documentary.
Spencer S

Michael Moore has a certain flair, a zest, a crazy sense for the every day struggles and accountabilities of the average person. Even if you're conservative, there's nothing like a good shake down of what we all believe is true, and turns out to be a misnomer.
Thomas J

Seeing things differently than Fox News is not always a bad thing!! lol
xGary X

Once more Michael Moore takes on the stealth dictatorship of corporate America, this time in the arena of healthcare. The thing that surprised me about this film is that I assumed it would be about the disenfranchised poor who were forced to live without health insurance. But it… More
Once more Michael Moore takes on the stealth dictatorship of corporate America, this time in the arena of healthcare. The thing that surprised me about this film is that I assumed it would be about the disenfranchised poor who were forced to live without health insurance. But it isn't. It's mainly telling the stories of productive working families who were paying for their insurance, just to have the companies who represent them use every means necessary to wriggle out of paying out when they were needed, sometimes resulting in eventual bankruptcy or tragedy for those involved. It's difficult to stomach the fact that a regime that constantly bangs on about "family values" supports a system that lets little girls die because they went to the "wrong" hospital or leaves old ladies still in their hospital gowns out on the roadside by drop out centres when their insurance runs out. The root of the system can be seen in the kind of corporate sponsored propaganda that claimed that universal healthcare was the first stepping stone to a communist state (did Margaret Thatcher seem like a communist to you?!) and I must admit seeing Tony Benn, an old school Labour politician himself vilified by the right wing press as the "loony left", putting the concept of the welfare state so eloquently left me with a lump in my throat. This in turns moving and funny film should be required viewing for the American public, especially those people who have been inexplicably protesting against president Obama's plans for universal healthcare. As for those who complain that Moore is biased, well I'm sure that the hundreds of lobbyists who spend millions of dollars buying off "your" representatives are TOTALLY objective...
Conner R

A step up in terms of research and information, but an increase in the corniness. Michael Moore really shouldn't be in his documentaries as much as he is, in no way does he create a person you can root for. He's just way too uncharismatic and that really makes a dent in his… More
A step up in terms of research and information, but an increase in the corniness. Michael Moore really shouldn't be in his documentaries as much as he is, in no way does he create a person you can root for. He's just way too uncharismatic and that really makes a dent in his points. Also, the music and stunts he pulls in this can be really bad.
MisterYoda ?

I recently finished watching Michael Moore's Sicko (it's a great documentary that everyone should see). It's not about the 47 million Americans who don't have health insurance, it's about some of the 250 million who have/had health insurance and in spite of… More
I recently finished watching Michael Moore's Sicko (it's a great documentary that everyone should see). It's not about the 47 million Americans who don't have health insurance, it's about some of the 250 million who have/had health insurance and in spite of this their lives were ruined. It dispels a lot of the myths espoused by some in America such as long waiting lines, higher taxes and the doctors being paid close to nothing. It explains why HMOs were established and how their primary purpose is to deny claims. Advancement in these companies is based upon how many claims an employee denies and any claims that are actually paid out are seen as failures. He goes to countries like Canada, England, France and Cuba and talks to citizens of these countries to get their take on their country's health-care system. He also goes to hospitals and emergency rooms in these countries to get the take of the people there and when he ask "How much do you pay?", they all laugh at him. Moore sums up the premise of film when he says the rest of the western world practices "We" health-care while Americans practice "Me" health-care.
Lorenzo v

"This might hurt a little." A documentary comparing the highly profitable American health care industry to other nations, and HMO horror stories. <center>"This might hurt a little." A documentary comparing the highly profitable American health care industry to other nations, and HMO horror stories. <center>REVIEW</center> ocumentarian filmmaker Michael Moore strikes once again ? in this, arguably his best work to date ? focusing a scrutinized lens at America's insufficient health care system, the unscrupulous insurance companies, crooked politicos and the general malaise of the world's greatest nation shunning its citizenry with subpar work and no universal national health care that unlike other nations in Europe, Canada and Cuba have and the inexcusably horrific situations many are discovered to have been swept by the side in handling those who are in desperate need of sufficient medical care. For the most part the comedic glance is a bit eschewed in favor of depicting a human portrait instead for a stronger argument that it is truly unfathomable of how we take care of our own.
Wahida K

I am very neutral to Michael Moore. He has some nice arguments but sometimes he cross the line. This Documentary was very informativ.
Alice S

I do want to move to France, but like most other Americans who are sick of aspects of America, I suffer from I-only-speak-one-language-itis. Well, only one that'll do me even the remotest bit of good in Europe.
Luke B

A very good piece of propaganda from Michael Moore. Like his earlier efforts, Moore has no intention of providing us with a balanced view concerning the issue of healthcare. He provides us with shocking stories, which are equally funny and heart wrenching. However, once it's all… More
A very good piece of propaganda from Michael Moore. Like his earlier efforts, Moore has no intention of providing us with a balanced view concerning the issue of healthcare. He provides us with shocking stories, which are equally funny and heart wrenching. However, once it's all over, you just have to question his arguments. He doesn't address the problems of other countries healthcare, just uses their good points to make the American system look bad. Yes, it probably is worse than most, but he should really be evaluating all outcomes of such a switchover. It has some of Moore's trademark OTT attention grabbing, such as the journey to Cuba. Which is a fitting climax.
Chris W

God, talk about a horror movie. I'm glad there was at least a little bit of humor in this doc...even if it was dark, because damn, this is quite a depressing and sobering film. Yeah, like his others, it's biased, but it's also very well researched and not half-assed.… More
God, talk about a horror movie. I'm glad there was at least a little bit of humor in this doc...even if it was dark, because damn, this is quite a depressing and sobering film. Yeah, like his others, it's biased, but it's also very well researched and not half-assed. Worth seeing.
Jeremy S

A controversial documentary critical of the U.S. by Micheal Moore how original.
Lanning :

I always see Michael Moore's excellent documentaries from two sides -- at least. One the one hand, he is very good at layering in "evidence" to support the major thesis of the project -- in this case, the sorry state of the US healthcare system in terms of the… More
I always see Michael Moore's excellent documentaries from two sides -- at least. One the one hand, he is very good at layering in "evidence" to support the major thesis of the project -- in this case, the sorry state of the US healthcare system in terms of the for-profit mentality that drives everything from treatment, to insurance coverage, to the cost of prescriptions. On the other hand, I'm always very much aware of the one-sidedness of his argument, regardless of the fact that I am usually in total agreement with what he is saying about, say, healthcare in this instance. I'm also always a little skeptical about his offer of solutions to a given problem, be it gun control or what have you. To say that the solution is "obvious" is not my idea of a well-formed argument -- even if I agree that the solution is obvious. I would advise anyone, even "members of the choir" like myself, to view Moore's work with a medium to large sized grain of proverbial salt. He is a master of making strong emotional arguments, but every issue on the magnitude of, say, healthcare reform in the US, has many, many sides, and workable solutions may not be as obvious as Moore may make you believe they appear to be.
Daniel P

Love him or hate him, Michael Moore's fundamental points in this film cannot be disputed: in America, if you can't pay for your health care, and if you don't qualify (or are systematically refused) for insurance, you don't get health care. As always with Moore, his… More
Love him or hate him, Michael Moore's fundamental points in this film cannot be disputed: in America, if you can't pay for your health care, and if you don't qualify (or are systematically refused) for insurance, you don't get health care. As always with Moore, his use of music makes the tone a little too epic for the low-involvement message he's delivering, and on the whole, his stunts are a little too self-aggrandizing. He plays up the healthcare systems in Canada, the UK, France and even Cuba as seeming utopias, which might be a stretch, but the point is best made by former Labour MP (UK) Tony Benn: Britain realized - three years after World War II, when the average Brit may have been less healthy than the average American is today - that "if we can find money to kill people, we can find money to help people". With no disrepect to Hillary Clinton, I couldn't help but consider this: Michael Moore wanted a Democrat to win the 2008 election. Before Barack Obama entered the race, Hillary was by far the favourite. Did Moore choose to talk about the American health care system only to sway people toward voting for the likely Democratic nominee? What if (e.g.) Obama had been in the race at the time, and likely to win? Would one of Obama's pet issues - though he has done well to make sure people see him focus on more than one, but let's say climate change - have then been the topic of Moore's project? There's no question that Moore has an axe to grind, and that in eliding details - whether it's for the sake of the limits of the medium, appealing to "the masses" who get "facts" from movies and not books, or because of his "liberal bias" - he does sometimes undermine his own credibility. Sicko marks a return to form, though: it's much better than Fahrenheit 9/11 (in which he exploited a very tenuous link between the Bush and Bin Laden families). This time, the premise is more than hearsay, and only one conclusion can be made: as it's practiced in the U.S., privatized healthcare sucks compared to the public systems in the rest of the world. That's the only point that he needs to make, the rest is just for show. Excellent film from an excellent filmmaker.
Jani H

Michael Moore is a patriot, that's for sure. I'm not american, so I really didn't know how bad the situation in the healthcare system is. After watching this, I'm glad I'm not american cuz everybody gets sick at some point and I'm glad that I live in a… More
Michael Moore is a patriot, that's for sure. I'm not american, so I really didn't know how bad the situation in the healthcare system is. After watching this, I'm glad I'm not american cuz everybody gets sick at some point and I'm glad that I live in a country that takes care of the citizens. But in my point of view, Moore has made only one really great doc and that's the Columbine doc. This has it's moments but when Moore starts to show his face on the screen and pretending to be blown away by the facts given by US born people living in Europe, I started to lose focus and... Moore is a patriot, yes, but he's also really annoying. But that's the way we've learned to know him. Let's hope that Barack Obama has seen the doc and tries to give americans better healthcare.
Curtis L

Michael Moore generally pisses me off, but this movie totally made sense to me. As someone who is repeatedly pissed off by my insurance company (who has always paid less on a hospital bill than I paid them in premiums that month alone), I suddenly wanted to figure out what kinds of… More
Michael Moore generally pisses me off, but this movie totally made sense to me. As someone who is repeatedly pissed off by my insurance company (who has always paid less on a hospital bill than I paid them in premiums that month alone), I suddenly wanted to figure out what kinds of forestry jobs I could get into in other countries. I know friends who got hurt on vacation in Spain, and they got immediate and awesome free health care, where as here I can't even afford to go to the doctor with health insurance. MURP!
Michael G

Another good attempt by Michael Moore to make you hate the United States. When I got done watching Sicko I was ready to move to Canada and marry Celine Dion for hopes of better health care(kidding...!) But once the anger from watching any Michael Moore documentary wore off and a… More
Another good attempt by Michael Moore to make you hate the United States. When I got done watching Sicko I was ready to move to Canada and marry Celine Dion for hopes of better health care(kidding...!) But once the anger from watching any Michael Moore documentary wore off and a little research was done, I (as always) realized his research is a tad slanted, despite some great points he made in this movie. It got a tad sentimental and sappy at the end but it ended on a slightly fun note.