User Reviews

Director Barry Levinson ('Diner', 'The Natural', 'Good Morning, Vietnam', 'Rain Man', 'Avalon', Bugsy', etc) has obviously taken a chance with his latest film YOU DON'T KNOW JACK, a cinematic evaluation of the notorious and controversial Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the Detroit pathologist who upon retiring from his career felt compelled to create a manner for people suffering chronic disease, paralytic illness, chemotherapy failures, and those pleading to die with dignity to have a choice as to whether they by law must linger in misery or be given the opportunity to have a doctor assisted suicide. Whether or not viewers react positively or negatively to this film for HBO will probably be tainted with personal convictions about assisted suicide rather than whether the film is worthy or a diatribe. But that is the still ongoing dilemma of the topic raised by the elderly Armenian physician's choices or convictions and one that the film explores well.

As for the film itself, it is a tour de force of acting performances: Al Pacino transforms himself physically and technically to bring the personality of Jack Kevorkian to life. It is a role of so many fine nuances that demonstrates ho Pacino truly does inhabit the title of the film. This Kevorkian is shown to be a man driven to be an outspoken activists for human rights - especially the right to die. His sister Margo, played to perfection by Brenda Vacarro, is the lonely Jack's sole source of emotional support, while his old friend and hospital medic Neal Nicol (who technically assists Kevorkian) is made a three dimensional person by John Goodman. Another supporter is the Hemlock Society worker Janet Good, another fine role for Susan Sarandon, and Danny Huston (almost unrecognizable in a wig) is Jack's pro bono lawyer Geoffrey Fieger. The technique used by Kevorkian is to interview people who approach him pleading to end their lives (some have tried regular suicide attempts before), make a video of the patient and family requesting assisted suicide, be sure the family and patient are serious and ready and only then provide the service with a contraption loaded with sedative and KCL that is triggered by the patient. Many of the actual patients are reenacted by a cadre of fine actors in scenes of pleading that tug at the heart.

Kevorkian is placed on trial by the courts in Michigan and finally after 133 assisted suicides is sentenced to prison - but not until after frequent jailings accompanied by Kevorkian's hunger strikes have resulted in his being released due to the finesse of his lawyer. Though Kevorkian has a large number of people who feel he is a cruel serial killer, this film presents the more human side of a man motivated to provide an alternative to patients suffering the lingering agonies of medically approved slow deaths. There are several tender scenes in this film, but the one that is a triumph of writing and acting is a conversation between Sarandon and Pacino as to what happened in Jack's childhood that began the idea for his mission. If viewers can get past their personal issues with the subject, then they will be witness to a superb film and terrific acting that will likely lead to an Emmy for at least Pacino. Watch this and learn.

Grady Harp

Dr. Jack Kevorkian experienced the horrible end of his long suffering mother. That event triggered in him a desire to empower patients facing a losing battle with their own fatal illnesses. As such, the idea of euthanasia, that has been practiced in some European countries, appealed to him to the point that it consumed the fabric of his soul trying to do the right thing for the patients that had no hope of ever getting better.

With the help of his sister, Margo, he began the research that propelled him into one of the most hated persons in America. Dr. Kevorkian, with the help of friends, invented a crude device that patients wanting to put an end to their lives were able to use, under his supervision. Thus began his legacy, admired by people that saw a way to decide their fate, instead of relying in what they perceived was an interference from doctors who wanted to prolong their pain without giving them a solution that would make them feel better.

At the same time, there was a movement of people that were horrified by the furor that the media fueled in the general public. No one was more opposed to what Dr. Kevorkian was doing than Dick Thompson, Michigan's D.A., who fought with all his might to have the doctor stop his crusade of death, as he saw it. Fortunately for Kevorkian, he found a friend, and ally in Geoff Fieger, an attorney that fought the system to help the man he thought was doing good, rather than evil.

Dr. Kevorkian brought out a lot of interesting points about the interference of religion with a lot of practical discoveries, like the case of ether, whose usage was stopped because of ignorance, rather than by anything else. The fight against the fanatics that opposed him took a big toll in his life. The only mistake Dr. Kevorkian made was with in assisting Mr. Youk by injecting the fatal dose himself, something that he had avoided up to that case, making the patients do it themselves using the method he had devised.

Barry Levinson directed this HBO made for television program from Dr. Kevorkian's point of view. Audiences might feel it was a one sided way to glorify the doctor. However, there are a lot of valid ideas that reveal the character of the man with no fears whose only wish was to help those that up to this point were helpless in the way they were treated by the medical science that had failed them. The film has a grainy quality to it, perhaps to give the material a feel of watching old newscasts.

The main reason for watching "You Don't Know Jack" is Al Pacino. The actor gives an inspired and controlled performance, no doubt because of the guidance from Mr. Levinson, an astute director. It is hard, at times, to differentiate between the actor and the real man we all got to know for being in the news almost on a daily basis. The supporting cast is excellent. Brenda Vaccaro is seen as Margo Janus, Kevorkian's sister. Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Dick Thompson and an unrecognizable Danny Huston, add luster to this film.

The film does not take sides, although it is clear the Adam Mazer, the writer of the film was clearly impressed by his subject. Eigil Bryld cinematography gives the viewer a look of the events as it happened at the time. Marcelo Zarvos' music score works well in the film.

In the 90's, Dr. Jack Kevorkian need no introduction. His name was notorious. A subject of medical controversy, Dr. Kevorkian (Al Pacino) create a manner for people whom suffering from chronic disease, paralytic illness, and chemotherapy failure to die with some dignity and ease. However, it didn't come, without a few legal problems & some outrage from the public. His relationship with society, got so bad, that some news outlets started portraying him, as a serial killer, with the nickname 'Dr. Death'. Because of this, his story was never been properly told, until now. Directed by Barry Levinson & based on Neal Nicol's and Harry Wylie's novel, "Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the Assisted Suicide Machine and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia", this HBO TV movie, hopes to explore, what makes the man ticks, and what were the true reasons, why the doctor was helping his patients to end their lives. Without spoiling the bio-pic film, too much, I think, the movie, somewhat achieve that, without sugar coated, too much on avoiding the macabre stuff. While, there was some humorous moments. For the most part, the events in the film, mirror very closely to what happen in real-life. There wasn't that many, historic inaccuracies. Still, there were a few events that had to be left out like Kevorkian's previous work history, like experimenting on transfusing cadaver blood to needy human, his advocacy of optional organ donation by condemned criminals and researching on retinas at the moment of death. Then, there is the fact that a few multiply characters had to be consolidated into one, in order to get the movie pacing going; for example, Michael Schwartz, the defense lawyer that help Jack win, most of his cases. Despite that, the film was still, truly a tour de force. Al Pacino's performance was impressive. While, you can still hear Pacino's husky voice, he was still mostly very unrecognizable. He really did, seem like another person, instead of a character that happens to sound and act like Pacino. I haven't saw, acting like this, from him, in a long time. It's nice to see, Al Pacino retake a character actor role. I also like how the movie offers an objective view of Kevorkian's years as a practitioner and advocate for assisted suicide and free speech, rather than shaming him, as a monster like some 1990s media sources did. More so, the film reveals the doctor was just, like any other man. A man who love music, poetry, and painting. Because of this, the movie is clearly on open on Dr. Kevorkian's humanity side. Due to the film's perspective, opponents that are against him, are not really given much of a voice in the film. They're portray, as a bit ignorant and cartoony righteous activist driven type villains, which was a little unfair. They do have good reasons, why physician-assisted suicides shouldn't be, done, but none of the great examples like malpractice of Dr. Harold Shipman or the idea of consent under pressure are, used in the film. Opponents of this will probably, not like this movie, because of that lack of information. While, personally, I have mixed feelings about the issue of voluntary euthanasia. I do believe, that the choice to live or die is a fundamental right for the individual, and not the state. However, I don't think, the film was perfect, even with the awesome music by composer, Marcelo Zarvos. While, I like how Barry Levinson and his crew uses actual interview videos of Kevorkian's patients telling their stories, cleverly using computer image technology to insert Pacino into the scene where the real Kevorkian had been. I just think, the integration of real-footage with fictional footage, could be, done, a little better. At certain moments during the interview, Pacino's head seem, a bit off-titled. The film also doesn't have the best cinematography. I can barely see some characters, in certain frames. Another problem, I got, against the movie is the awkward fade outs. There were points in the film that I felt, were a little too slow & traditional. The first part of the film is a good example, as it doesn't match up with the quicker, and faster paced second half, with all the jump cuts. Don't get me wrong, I know, the first half is, supposed to establish the location and the characters, so, it needed time. However, it doesn't do, a good job, establishing anything. Characters come into the frame, awkwardly, introduce, without much acknowledgment. A good example of this, are the patients. We're never really, get to know, how, they end up, finding the doctor, nor the dilemmas, they must face, in making the decision to die with their friends and family. All, the audience hear about, is bits about their illness. They come and go, without much, emotional weight. Nevertheless, at least, the characters that support, Dr. Kevorkian with his work are established a little better, even if some of them, don't really do much, like Janet Good (Susan Sarandon). Even, after rewatching the film, for a second time, I still really have no clue, what, her character was all about. Despite that, I thought, the acting from the supporting cast was equally as good as the main actor, with John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Brenda Vaccaro adding their brilliants to their roles. Great chemistry, between all of their characters and the doctor. However, the best one for me, was Kevorkian's relationship with his headstrong attorney, Geoffrey Fieger (Danny Huston). Huston played it, spot-on. Who knew, that Huston had a convincing comedy side to his acting. It's freshening, not to see him, in a villain role. Overall: While, the movie is still somewhat dark and macabre. In the end, the film still work. It does serves as a tool and a morally questionable of what is your rights as living human being. Because of that, without a doubt, it's worth checking out.

Seriously. What's You Don't Know Jack Doing on TV? It should get a chance on a the big screen. With dynamo performances by Al Pacino (in his best role in a decade), John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and a performance worthy of an Academy Award Supporting Actress award by Brenda Vaccaro as Jack Kevorkian's sister, this is one hot piece of cinema. The direction and production value are also top notch in this disturbing true story that will leave you debating in your own mind. Is it a story about a serial killer or is it a story about compassion? Al Pacino is truly superb. He hasn't been this into his character since Scent of a Woman. This is a great film. If you enjoy big character driven biopics with memorable performances this will be your lethal injection, uh, I mean cup of tea.

What you didn't get a sense of back in the Nineties when Dr. Jack Kevorkian gained prominence on the scene was the compassion and understanding he brought to his patients. That all got lost in the uproar of the doctor assisted suicide controversy. The thing that came across in the newspaper headlines was how Dr. Death wanted to advance an agenda that resulted in his own prominence on the national stage.

What I didn't realize was how many assisted suicides he was actually involved with, and how that final one brought the curtain down on his career. The film's focus on how Kevorkian decided who he would treat, how he recorded the event, and how he offered his patients an out at the last minute were significant in showing us that this was not a monster, but a compassionate human being who believed in human dignity in the face of intolerable suffering.

Perhaps the picture's title is a bit flippant, but it's certainly better than Doctor Death, as one might have expected in a film about the man's history. Pacino does an outstanding job, he becomes Jack Kevorkian with all of his mannerisms and idiosyncrasies. Approach the film with an open mind toward a controversial subject and you won't come away unaffected.

HBO has a habit of turning out some extremely interesting and daringly timely films that are, in fact, not at all badly done. This is one of them.

It's easy to imagine how "You Don't Know Jack" could have gone horribly wrong. Here we have Jack Kavorkian, a pathologist, arranging the circumstances of the hopelessly ill in such a way that they can easily bring about their quick death. There are more than one hundred such patients, and for at least one of the last, he starts the drip with the patient's consent but without any physical help.

Now -- that narrative gives the writers and the director one hundred plus opportunities to tell us sob stories. We can get to know the patients themselves, one by one, a hundred or more tragic tales, accompanied by tears, family conflicts followed by sobbing reconciliations, and all the rest of the touchstones of soap opera.

Alternatively, we can have Dr. Jack Kavorkian -- the obsessed pathologist with the strange-looking name, the egomaniacal mad killer, his eyes glowing with delight as he pieces the parchment-like skin of the horrified patient unable to protest. Dr. Kavorkian -- "Doctor Death" as the press dubbed him.

Instead, the director, Barry Levinson, has given us an intelligent, thoughtful tale made for grown ups. Jack fits no stereotype. Well, except maybe that of the self-sacrificing visionary who may be right or, equally possible, who may be wrong -- someone in the mold of Timothy Leary or Che Guevara or John Brown or Giordano Bruno.

As played by Al Pacino, he's just as uncategorical. It's the first time I can remember seeing Pacino plunge deeply into the role of another. His previous performances have all been recognizable facets of Al Pacino, the actor. This one is different, a character part in which Pacino adopts the mannerisms and quirky speech patterns of a man who is driven by a categorical imperative, not "do the patient no harm" but "relieve the patient's suffering." Helping people kill themselves, of course, sounds horrible to us but is hardly a rare act among human beings. In societies of the sort that used to be called "primitive" the enablers are almost always relatives. The Chukchi of Siberia speared their dying kinsmen. The Eskimo abandoned them with a small supply of fish. It's legal in Holland. Physician-assisted suicide isn't as big a step as we might think.

Yet, this isn't Siberia or Baffin Island or Amsterdam. It's Detroit, Michigan, in the 1990s, and the prosecuting attorney, the guy who is trying to stop Jack and send him to the slams, has a good point. Sooner or later, the bean counters will start to work on the cost of outcomes, and if assisted suicide is legal, it will be used not to relieve suffering but to save money. Those "death panels" could become a reality.

The performances are impeccable. It's one of Pacino's best, and Susan Sarandon and the rest of the cast are just as fine, especially Brenda Vaccaro as Kavorkian's common-sensical sister.

I do think Levinson made a few clumsy decisions. I can't imagine what those huge close ups of Al Pacino's eyes tell us about the man, since his eyes are inexpressive by design. And -- my God, that wobbling camera! Please! If you're going to relieve my pain, start with that! The photography too draws its colors from the fashionably ghoulish end of the color palette. Take that habit back to from whence it came, as a Hollywood mogul once said.

That's carping, though. Levinson is more than just an artful director. He's intellectually and morally curious and doesn't make easy judgment, nor make it possible for the viewer to make easy judgments.

We can only wish there were more films like this. "Saw IV", anyone?