This film begins with two masked thieves named "Utah" (Jack Kilmer) and Opal (Alice Englert) robbing a convenience store and then deftly escaping from the police with their stolen money. That same night they buy some heroin to satisfy their drug addiction and subsequently pass out on a bed in a cheap hotel room. The scene then shifts to a day or two later with both of them essentially broke and homeless. It's then that a man by the name of "Wood" (Michael Kenneth Williams) observes their plight and invites them inside a local diner for a free meal. While there he tells them that he was also an addict a few years ago and encourages them to go to a rehabilitation center on the West Coast. Although Opal is adamantly against this idea, Utah eventually decides to take him up on his offer and gets admitted. What he doesn't know is that Wood is a recruiter for this particular rehabilitation center and gets paid each time he refers someone for admission. Not only that, but if they should relapse, he also gets paid for any readmission as well-and therein lies the problem because it actually benefits Wood when this happens. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an intriguing film which potentially shines a spotlight on a major problem within out medical system. Having said that, however, let me also say that this is not a documentary and it doesn't reference any peer-reviewed documentation to bolster its case. So, regardless of all of the facts and figures it might stipulate, the only thing for certain is that this a movie--and for the reasons just mentioned should probably be treated as such. To that point, it should go without saying that Hollywood has a tendency to embellish things when it suits their purpose. Therefore, since I honestly have certain doubts, I won't speculate on the accuracy of any allegations made in this film. What I can say, however, is that it was an interesting film for the most part and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
Review of Body Brokers
