SICK - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BOB FLANAGAN, SUPERMASOCHIST 

INTRODUCTION: And we have a winner, for the longest title of the month competition, narrowly beating "The Man Who Knew Too Little", "Martha Meet Frank, Daniel & Laurence" and "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil", as well as proving you don't have to begin with M to have a stupidly long title. Oh and it also achieves the less important distinction of being my favourite movie of the month. 

SYNOPSIS: Bob Flanagan was born with cystic fibrosis and given only a couple of years to live. Turning to S&M to master his pain Bob was able to live well into his 40's. Bob achieved a certain degree of fame throughout the US for his writing and art which centred around his malady and his fetish. Kirby Dick's documentary follows the last 2 years of Bob's life. 

REVIEW: This small film has managed to achieve quite a reputation stateside, and over here too. My local art-house was packed for this one night only screening, despite access being limited to members only. The last time they took such an extreme step was for the controversial "Fetishes" which was also a documentary about S&M. 

Bob's wit, intelligence and joie-de-vivre (not the sort of behaviour you would expect from a masochist) are what make this film so great, although Sheree comes off less well at times seeming manipulative, controlling and self centred (not the sort of behaviour you would expect from a dominatrix!), but these two are clearly in love, Bob put himself entirely into Sheree's hands and she in turn fulfils his needs with such romantic acts as inserting steel balls up his rectum and pins into his scrotum. Now I'm sorry but that has got to be love, you couldn't hate someone that much. 

We meet Bob's family, friends and fans as we follow him from exhibition to exhibition and book reading to book reading, and are given what are at times quite frightening insights into the life of this American Icon. This is all of course very reminiscent of "Crumb" a documentary about Comic book author and artist Robert Crumb, which was one of the first films I ever saw at an art-house and still remains one my all time favourite films. Like that film I am sure that "Sick" will leave an everlasting impression on me. 
I suppose I'd better inject a word of caution here, as I understand that the more squeamish amongst you may be put off by the sight of a man hammering a six inch nail through the head of his penis and covering the camera lens in blood in the process. Well if this doesn't sound like your idea of a good time then that's your loss. Personally I spent one of the most entertaining 90 minutes of my life watching the pain, suffering and eventual death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist. 

My first 5 star film. Did I ever mention that my rating system is out of 100? 

Mutt's Rating: ***** 

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