This movie (an HBO production released earlier this year) is about Jack Kevorkian. From the beginning of his euthanasia practice until he was imprisoned for 8 and 1/2 years. He was released at the age of 79 in 2007.He eventually lost a court battle because he was determined to get this issue of the right of people to choose their death before the Supreme Court. So HE injected the drugs into the willing patient instead of having the patient 'pull the switch'. He lost his medical license years before so he had been forced to use carbon monoxide but he wanted to make sure this death got the attention of the courts so he could have a forum. Besides the crime of murder he also was charged with use of controlled substances.
Jack also was his own attorney which meant he had a fool for a client.
The acting was superb and the movie was perfect. I have absolutely no criticism or comment on how things could have been done differently. (surprise; surprise). Al Pacino played Jack and he was totally subsumed by his character. In contrast to all other films i've seen with pacino in which I always know the part is being played by him, he WAS Jack Kevorkian. The other roles were also played excellently; Susan Sarandon as a friend from the Hemlock Society, John Goodman, Brenda Vaccaro as his sister Margo and Danny Huston as his lawyer.
Al Pacino was good? This I gotta see. I mean, he was fucking brilliant in the Godfather movies but ever since "Scent of a Woman" (also the world's most annoying movie title) I just haven't been able to take him seriously. Sounds fabulous - thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the photos really improve your blog.