This bold, intense, and uncompromising expose of S&M takes audiences to places thay have not been before; in moments, it's tough to watch but quite rewarding at the end.
Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist (1997)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:21
Fresh:19
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.6/10
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Synopsis: Performance artist Bob Flanagan suffered from cystic fibrosis throughout his 42 years. This disturbing, poignant, and disarmingly funny documentary examines his odyssey to have control over his... Performance artist Bob Flanagan suffered from cystic fibrosis throughout his 42 years. This disturbing, poignant, and disarmingly funny documentary examines his odyssey to have control over his body through inflicting pain on himself. Through private moments captured on camera, his performances, and direct conversations with Flanagan himself, we learn of his painful fight against his affliction, the creative and disturbing things he does to his ailing body, and the importance of his long-term relationship with his dominatrix/partner, Sheree Rose. Kirby Dick's acclaimed documentary superbly sidesteps the '"reakshow" mentality by presenting the story of someone who lived a life far outside of conventionality in an exceptionally human manner. This film is for non-squeamish, mature audiences. [More]
Director: Kirby Dick
Director: Kirby Dick
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Reviews for Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan,...
The title alone of Kirby Dick’s alleged documentary Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist practically screams: “This is not your standard biopic!”
It contains language and depicts sexual acts that most will find appalling and intolerable, and this fact overshadows any enticing human element the film tries to extend.
Flanagan and Rose prove to be an exceptionally creative and intelligent couple who were able to turn their obsessions into art, albeit of a highly specialized kind and involving at times an overwhelmingly brutal exhibitionism.
An exploration of sickness of the body and sickness of the mind on several profound levels.
Whatever you want to call Sick, it's anything but a piece of exploitative voyeurism, by turns sombre, hilarious, wince-inducing and inspiring.
The story is uplifting, strangely enough, because Bob was able to live with the constant pain and discomforts of the disease by finding his own identity...
For those willing to endure its more harrowing moments, Kirby Dick's documentary about Los Angeles artist Bob Flanagan is a touching and rewarding look at a charismatic and defiant man.
Does a remarkable thing in presenting extreme, sometimes revolting material and simultaneously making us like and admire Flanagan.
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