Sick: The Life And Death Of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist

Year: 1997

Grade: B

Country: USA

Director: Dick

Review

not an easy documentary to watch. as a film it’s not amazingly well made, but it does the job. the middle sags, but the ends make up for it. bob was a moderately funny and intelligent guy under extraordinary circumstances and the film is about documenting the way he deals with them. the film doesn’t quite romanticize his coping mechanism and lifestyle, but it comes close. it also doesn’t show bob in the truest possible light. the film hints at his darker side, but the director admits in an interview included on the dvd that he didn’t show bob’s “grouchy side.” i think that’s a bit of a disservice to the whole operation, which to me is about accepting this guy despite how truly odd he is. at any rate, the movie is worth watching if you don’t mind extremely graphic images.