Body Brokers (2021) User Reviews

An eye-opener for sure.

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 7/10 · 20 February 2021]

Wow, such a crazy informative true story. Newb filmmaker John Swab casted, produced, wrote and directed this docu-type film, and did a decent job.

It is well directed and shot, and the casting was decent with Frank Grillo performing and narrating the true facts of this film. My only casting issue was Jack Kilmer as Utah; he performed well as a junkie, but after rehab he still had that monotonic expressionless boring demeanor. I'm not sure if it was his acting failing to turn-up a few notches, or Swab not directing him properly, or both, but his role in the second act was disappointing.

The score and cinematography were on point, but the 111 min runtime felt much longer with the film's often slow pacing. Swab's screenplay wasn't perfect, but told the story he was aiming to tell, quite well - enough to anger most people who have had trouble with addiction, or know someone close to them that has been through the system. Although a compelling story, the plot was too plain, but at least the details were vivid enough to keep you watching until the end. It's educational and investigative into an exploitative crime surrounding addiction. It certainly opened my eyes. Props to newb filmmaker Swab for putting this little gem together.

Overall more interesting than exciting, but nevertheless a story that really needed to be told - and I'm surprised it took this long.

Great story about life, death, money and drugs

[danielcereto · 7/10 · 19 February 2021]

I really enjoyed this movie. Based on a true and cruel reality on the streets of America. First, the script is amazing. It's not your predictable and usual one. It makes you think about life, death, money and drugs. Second, acting is pretty solid from the main cast. Last, this movie makes you think about how to end a neverending story?... I can't find an answer. Hopefully someone will have. So, overall a great drama. Enjoy it if you're in the mood.

A film telling two different stories

[valleyjohn · 7/10 · 15 June 2021]

Body Brokers is a film that means well and sends a message not only about drug addiction but how companies are exploiting the misery of these people by making billions of dollars . I'm just not quite sure the format of the film really works.

I did like the film. The performances are good , especially from Jack Kilmer (Utah) and Michael Kenneth Williams who I think is a massively underrated actor .

I just think the film isn't quite sure if it's a drama or a documentary and it ends up not fully being either .

It does send an important message about drugs and it's a war that can never be won but there is nothing stopping the United States stopping corporate greed and changing the rules on making money from desperate people .

Worth a watch .

Very nice movie.

[roxlerookie · 7/10 · 20 February 2021]

Very well executed movie, I'd say. The pacing might be slow, but it renders the feeling of aimlessness of the addicts. I would have wanted to be told what in the movie is true or invented, but if the numbers are true, and cash exchanges that easy, then the question really is who are the big fish promoting those policies, because they're obviously set up to be exploited. Actors played well and human emotions of loss, betrayal, belonging, community, fear, shame, anger, all rung true to me.

Enjoyable drug and rehab movie...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 16 January 2022]

Initially I had been putting off sitting down to watch the 2021 movie "Body Brokers" on the account that the synopsis didn't really sound all that interesting. And the movie's cover wasn't exactly eye-catching. So it wasn't before now in 2022 that I got around to watching what writer and director John Swab had to offer.

And I will say that "Body Brokers" certainly was a good movie. It was a somewhat tough story, as it was something that struck home and left a lasting impression. And that was the combination of some good writing from John Swab and the spot on acting performances by the cast ensemble.

The storyline is all the more hard-hitting as this is something that is based on actual events, and the whole thing with substance abuse and battling it is just not an easy pill to swallow - pardon the pun. But it was exactly that which made "Body Brokers" a good movie.

"Body Brokers" has a good cast ensemble with Michael Kenneth Williams (playing Wood) and Jack Kilmer (playing Utah) in the lead roles. And they definitely put on stellar performances and gave life to the movie in a very fulfilling manner. The movie also have Frank Grillo and Peter Greene on the cast list, so there are some familiar faces.

While "Body Brokers" certainly is a good and watchable movie, I doubt that I will ever return to watch it a second time, as the storyline just doesn't have enough contents to it to support more than a single viewing. But if you get the chance, and haven't already seen "Body Brokers", then it is something I would suggest that you do, because this is a hard-hitting movie.

And without spoiling anything, then I will say that the ending of the movie really got to me. It was an ending that you saw coming, but it was at the same time an ending you didn't want to see.

My rating of "Body Brokers" lands on a six out of ten stars.

A good movie, a bit slow though

[Mah_Jam · 6/10 · 28 February 2021]

What's good about this movie is that it opens your eyes on a community problem of drug addiction and how the treatment programs could be an issue themselves. What's not good in this movie is that it only focuses on failure stories. It's a bit slow as well.

An Intriguing Film

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 30 January 2022]

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.

Powerful message

[itenkroode · 7/10 · 12 June 2021]

Enjoyed this film although I did miss some tension. Gave a powerful message, shows what is wrong with some of the US system. Would recommend!

A unique tale, a bit overdone and barely alright

[Xavier_Stone · 5/10 · 19 February 2021]

The start and setup of this movie is decent and it tells an interesting story. However the financials are way out of whack and ruins any true insight. The wandering path is done adequately enough but it feels half finished and leaves an unsatisfied feeling at the completion. Maybe it's just me, but if you're going to make a movie about preaching the dangers of drugs and wanting people to change I think you need to put an effort into making a good film. Otherwise it's easily forgotten 5 minutes after watching it, like this one is.

Sad State of our Healthcare System

[bryanmartin-19759 · 7/10 · 17 August 2021]

Although this is a dramatization, the story feels all too real. The laws are ripe for abuse.

You see what's likely coming in the story but can't stop watching.

Not a Frank Grillo movie

[maushardt · 5/10 · 21 February 2021]

I'm a fan of Frank Grillo and saw on IMDB that he was the star. I'd say he was in the movie for a total of 10 minutes. While it may have been a true story it was very slow.

making tons of money by helping drugs addicts.

[afterdarkpak · 6/10 · 3 March 2021]

Its a good movie with some decent performance, based on true story? it seems so. but i didnt FULLY understand the FRAUD about the treatment in this movie. how come these companies make millions of $ helping the drug addicts? i have to watch this movie again to understand that fraud concept.

Not as bad as I expected

[LisaFogle · 7/10 · 21 February 2021]

Really the best thing about this movie in my opinion was Jack Kilmer. The story wasn't something I'd normally be interested in but he did a really good job keeping me invested in it. I didn't even know Val Kilmer had a son. So it wasn't spectacular but it wasn't bad. It's just one of those movies if you're bored and looking for something to do you watch it and say okay. I really hate to think this really goes on in the world but nothing surprises me anymore. Wasn't expecting the ending to be like that though.

Utah's tattoos

[glentzr · 6/10 · 12 March 2021]

Ok....how does this get produced where Utah has some tattoos sometimes, and then he doesn't.

its people making...

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 19 February 2021]

Money on other people thats making money of the weak individuals of society, its drug addicts this time, and the business milking money through the practice of putting people into detoxification centers, paid for either by insurance or federal arraingments, fixem, let the free after 30 days, give them a safehouse, where drugs are available, and start all over again. its based on true stories but its hard to believe for sure...

i liked the idea of this film, but i was not happy with the extreme smoothness of the crimes in the plot. neither are the acting good, and mr grillo...well i dont know what to say, but i could easily had done his role of 20 lines of verbal acting.not good.

but its good to spray some limelight on the actual practice, where are the chaperones in this system, is it money well spent or is it just pure business as all health care seems to be in the usa?

should you see this film, yes by all means, its just a movie, so a small recommend from the grumpy old man

Everything that is wrong in the USA in a film

[rbarratt-37609 · 10/10 · 8 June 2021]

Speaking and watching in the UK. Where thankfully we get free health care. If only a percentage of this film is based on facts it's shocking. Only in the USA the home of pyramid selling can you find capitalist making money of people's addiction.

UTTER BULL

[Carol-wise · 1/10 · 19 June 2021]

Shame on John Swab. I was interested in this movie because it is my experience. I was a heroin addict in Cleveland, OH until I was 29. I called one of those phone numbers and was set up within 24 hours to get a flight to Orange County Hospital detox in SoCal. I went through the detox process for 2 weeks then went to live in a sober living group home.

In 15 years of my experiences through NA (Narcotics Anonymous), knowing other addicts, owners and agents of treatment facilities, I have NEVER seen this fraud occur. Do insurance companies make money? Of course they do. Do treatment centers make money? Of course they do. You can't keep a medical facility open with no way to pay the rent. It that is t a new phenomenon or pyramid scheme, it's the same for any medical establishment. Know who's making the money off this ? JOHN SWAB.

The only thing this movie does is cause those addicted and still struggling to have one more reason:excuse why they can't get clean because they dont trust anyone for help.

If you think this is a true story, it is not. I'm sorry it too Mr. Swab several times to get clean. But do t take it out on the rest of us. I am simply disgusted.

Quite depressing

[lopezpatricia-06139 · 5/10 · 12 June 2021]

I found this quite poignant having addiction issues myself. But it also irritated me. The characters were desperately unlikable. I guess I that respect the film did it's job. Being emotive. But now I have to do research to see if the American healthcare system is as evil as made out.

Inacurrate.

[jamesmcauslan-33069 · 4/10 · 27 February 2021]

If you're mainlining drugs, you have to wear long sleeves to hide the tracks. The young lady in this film goes around with her plump arms exposed. This is not how a junkie would dress. A movie about heroin and junkies should get its facts right before tackling the subject.

Surprisingly good and easy to relate to

[a-kastenas · 8/10 · 19 February 2021]

It's a good drama. I would like to thank all the people involved for making it. Writing, acting all good.

The good thing about this movie is also the presence of explanations. These "insertions" explain some of the more complicated events by providing real life context to it. It has a bit of "big short" feeling to, albeit the stories could be more far apart from each other.

I am happy I watched it by accident. I don't normally watch drama movies about drugs, but this one is different. It is a slow burner - very light and comedy like in the beginning til it eventually escalates to the end, which in a weird way happens to be the beginning of the movie also. It is a hidden gem. A cyclic slow burner in terms of story-building. It made me sad and made me think about events of the movie. Only good movies do that.

Well played, well played. Suberb writing.

What a Joke

[seandiamondryan · 1/10 · 24 February 2021]

This is exactly the BS that the insurance companies have been running to their lobbies & the Feds with for years. A slight variation of this existed but NOTHING like the fantasy portrayed here by this absolute joke of a writer/director. Should be listed under science fiction. The Matrix is based on more fact.

Capitalism vs Boring

[hanadi-university · 4/10 · 9 June 2021]

I like the story because this is an example of capitalism. However, I don't like the say how they act how the whole movie is. I recommend it to whoever likes to understand how capitalism work. Other than that is quite boring.

Grim

[leecraigjones · 5/10 · 12 June 2021]

Don't watch on a downer... there are more entertaining and uplifting movies.

Great movie! Very informative and solid in all aspects

[tbswab-05330 · 9/10 · 21 February 2021]

This film tells the tale of the real side of rehab and the corruption within the system. Told by someone with real knowledge and care in his approach to be informative and sensitive to the subject matter and those affected. An eye opening experience everyone should watch! Great job and can't wait for the next one IDA RED !

Another terrible movie

[niallcox-21255 · 1/10 · 15 September 2021]

Yet another movie with a trailer that makes the movie look like a fast paced movie and something that its not.

Turned it off due sheer crapness!