Michael Moore

The article titiled, What is it, What it Does and What is Might Do, discusses several of Michael Moore’s films. It begins by explained one film in particular, Sicko, which is about Americans desperate need for better health insurance. The author goes on to explain how this film aroused millions of viewers, both agreeing and disagreeing with the message portrayed. The author then explains how Moore used successful tactics throughout the film by going up close and personal with the people of America affected by the lack of health insurance. One interesting statistic the author mentions is that, “twenty-five percent of debtors cited illness or injury as the specific cause of bankruptcy.”

The author then brings up Moore’s comparison regarding other countries health insurance policies. However, the author argues that these comparisons are not relevant in several cases in the film to the United States. Although this may be true, the author follows up by giving an example these comparisons do work. For example, when these debates sometimes get distorted, many do not realize that countries like France, Canada and England pay for their care through taxes, and health care is not actually “free.” In addition, the author discusses how, although the movie may not change Republicans into Democrates, it still has an impact on the audience. It convinces the audience to demand change. As the author states, “Moore successfully heightens a sence of urgency, especially among uncertain “middle-class” Americans.

Although I have never seen the Movie Sicko, I can understand many of the authors points just from his explanations. One of the best ways to get to the audience is through triggering their emotions. More does so by getting to know the millions of Americans that do not have sufficient medical care, and suffer greatly from that. It seems like a film that for once, may target a younger generation, or simply inform normal Americans of a problem they may easily be blind to.