You Don't Know Jack (2010)

I seem to be in a bit of a biopic groove at the moment. Next up is 'You Don't Know Jack', another made-for-television effort.

If, like me, you don't know Jack, Jack Kevorkian is an American doctor and fervent (bordering on fanatical) advocate for the right-to-die movement. Jack, now age 82, still lives in Michigan. The film skips the early part of his career and begins at the point where he has had his medical licence revoked by the State of Michingan and is preparing his first doctor-assisted death. It follows his life, his patients, and his permanent confrontation with the District Attorney's office.

This was a completely random pick. I had no idea beforehand what it was about, or what to expect. Initially I was encouraged to see that it was an HBO production. Then I saw Al Pacino listed in the opening credits. When he was followed by Susan Sarandon, I decided to keep watching ...stay with me here, there is a point to all this...

Then we got started, and I spent the first ten minutes wondering when Al Pacino was going to appear. Until I realised he was already there. Honest. His performance is absolutely amazing. I've never been able to see him as anything other than the Italian mafioso bad boy that he plays in Scarface, but in this he is unrecognisable and astonishingly good. As for the supporting cast, Brenda Vacarro as his long-suffering sister is great, Danny Huston is fantastic as Kevorkian's lawyer, as are John Goodman, and - if you can get past the dodgy wig - Susan Sarandon.

One on level 'You Don't Know Jack' is simply a fascinating personal history. However, the subject matter inevitably raises uncomfortable questions about the right-to-die issue that society still hasn't found a satisfactory answer to.

It's an important story about a remarkable man. Watch it if you can.