Michael Moore does portray some rather interesting viewpoints throughout the course of "Sicko". Just a shame that it is so painstakingly staged. and that leaves a big question mark as to how much of this is actually true and portraying real situations, and just how much is staged and presented in a very manipulated way.For example, the thing with the Cuban hospital, which he failed to state as being an elitist hospital and that it is not readily available to the general Cuban populace. So he falsified the actual truth here and manipulated into seeming like this was just something that was easily done in Cuba. (Insert buzzer sound here) Sorry Michael, but that is a no go. And it builds so much discredit to your reputation.Sure, "Sicko" was entertaining enough, but this is hardly something that you should just buy and accept with closed eyes, because it was just too staged.And this is not the type of documentary that you will watch more than once.

Sicko (2007): Dir: Michael Moore / Featuring: Michael Moore: Michael Moore's often hilarious documentary that attacks American health care and in particular the attitude that translates to him from the government as indicated through those whom he interviews. There is a couple whose medical bills were so high that they were forced to sell their house and move in with their daughter. Another gentleman is still working at 79 years of age. Moore also introduces those who went unnoticed after their heroism at 911. American health care is so bad that Moore sought answers elsewhere only to learn that Canada, Great Britain, France, and Cuba have tremendous care. He brings out the sorrows of his guests while still taking hilarious crack shots at politicians particularly George Bush. His films often attack or address issues concerning our corrupt society, or more often our government. He does this famously with the humour and sarcasm that attracts viewers who made Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 911 tremendous hits. He manages to pull off a film every bit as effective as those other titles but that may also pend to how one feels about his political views. The film concludes with a humorous scene where Moore lugs his dirty laundry towards the White House with claims that they can do it. He is attempting to fight our battles for all those too ill to care anymore. Score: 10 / 10

At the outset let me confess I am Michael Moore fan and like all his documentaries.Sicko still remains the best of the best..What makes it unique is the thorough research across U.S. and other Western World countries and his outlook on a very sensitive healthcare issue.The documentary is very compelling. It does raise the genuine concerns of the poor and lower middle class in U.S. and the money minded and inhumane mentality of the corporations.If you want to watch the real truth, go ahead an watch it. I would say it's a must watch

Because of the extreme partisan divide within this country this film probably won't even be viewed by certain segments of our society. The fact is that if any news isn't from one of their "trusted sources" they simply won't believe it. But the truth won't be denied forever and all American citizens will eventually get sick or injured. It's just a sad fact of life. Now, as far as this film is concerned, I agreed with most of it because I typically endeavor to keep an open mind. The fact is that there are millions of people in this country who simply can't afford to get sick. There are millions more who believe that if they do get sick that their insurance will pay for it. What they don't realize is that the insurance companies are concerned with only one thing—making a profit. And if that means denying needed care then that is exactly what they will do. In that regard, Michael Moore does a very good job of proving that point. He also does much to dismantle the argument that countries with "socialized medicine" are necessarily second-rate societies begging for an American-style solution. There is a reason that the United States ranks 37th in health care and countries like Finland, Sweden and Norway rank ahead of us. If only certain people would open their eyes to see it. On that score, I believe Michael Moore stumbles just a bit. For example, his attempt to enter Guantanamo was obviously nothing more than a publicity stunt that would have given him a desired result regardless of whether the ill 9/11 rescue workers were seen or not. If they had been treated at Guantanamo he could have trumpeted the success of "government health care". The fact that they weren't seen merely gave him the option of going into Cuba and being used for propaganda purposes by the Communist regime. And make no mistake, the government there was clearly interested in putting on a good show for the world to see. Additionally, some doubt could also be raised concerning those he chose to interview in Canada, England or France. Because of his obvious bias it could be charged that he only used stories that would buttress his case on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean--or in Canada's case, both sides of the Detroit River. That is not to say that he did, but it leaves open the possibility. Likewise, he didn't need to bring up college tuition at all. The fact that he did merely serves to prove the accusation that he is a "socialist" and therefore "un-American". At least in the minds of some people. Be that as it may, there are two things that are certain: One is that our current system leaves many people vulnerable to a catastrophic illness or injury and the other is that the insurance companies are making enormous profits in the process. These two points are undeniable. Unfortunately, it is equally undeniable that vast segments of our society are completely brainwashed by clever slogans and clichés which have them believing that America has the "best health care in the world". What they refuse to see is that this is true only for those who can afford it. To further confuse people the very thing the insurance companies want is the exact same thing their brainwashed minions repeat as the cure for our problems—tort reform! One need look no further than this very board to see a few misguided souls talking about "limiting lawsuits" as the practical solution. Nevermind the fact that "tort reform" is only a "catch word" which wouldn't accomplish anything other than making sure the insurance companies won't be held liable for their unethical practices. In short, health care in this country is a big business and the insurance companies hold all of the cards (i.e. "politicians"). The only joker in the deck is the will of the American voter. But as long as the American voter is uninformed or fearful, this trump card will never be played. It's absolutely sickening and Michael Moore does a reasonably good job of making the point. Again though, he goes overboard a time or two and that's all it really takes to leave millions of people unconvinced. Hence the reason I have rated this as only slightly above average.