Totally Under Control

Was this an informative documentary? I say yes. Was it a pleasure to watch? I say no. Do I agree in a political way with the facts they try to depict? Well, I can check all of that myself.

I see ratings of 1´s and 2´s because people don´t like to see Trump being criticized, but what does an opinion has to do with facts? Look it up, check it, if you find errors write them in your review. But to slash something because it doesn't fit your views, that´s kind of silly to me.

I think it´s worth to watch but don´t expect to be happy at the end. Because this is about the failure of a corrupt system and the people managing it.

The truth is out now -- if any doubt remains for the masses of non-voters (100 million in 2016) and the undecided. This meticulous film can be wince-inducing as it carefully assembles the disgusting FACTS that finally make it clearly understandable just how the US government, corrupted under Trump, completely failed us with their shockingly pathetic, deadly mishandling of the pandemic response. Those who have been on the front lines are seen & heard leveling with the people, telling it like it is. Not to be overlooked by any sane individual. Get the word out.

Much of what is covered in the film is known, or could be known with some research. The value of Totally Under Control is the way the film lays out, step by step, the timeline of this tragedy. Here's hoping that we do, in fact, learn from this horror show and take steps to be better prepared for future emergencies, whether pandemics or other natural disasters. The more the public questions leaders and demands transparency, the better.

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic... this is a masterpiece of a documentary.

It's beyond urgent, and indeed, in time that may prove to be its undoing. I'd estimate that the filming for this was probably finished around June/July, so even at release there's important things it couldn't cover (Trump's own positive test to the virus is a footnote that appears right before the end credits). And with the story of COVID-19 still ongoing, there will inevitably be more changes and dramatic revelations to come.

But for now, this is vital, compelling, compulsively watchable, expertly edited, and undeniably stomach-churning stuff. I don't doubt that there is some bias likely present within this documentary, but as something that presents an argument- even if it is by and large one side- it's exceptional. The argument is presented brilliantly. Some may disagree with its ultimate point- it's inevitable, in this year of absolutely insane societal division- but I'd urge everybody to at least give it a watch, and make up their own mind once it's over.

I want to straight up beg Netflix to buy the rights to this, because 99% of the time, when you tell somebody about a film or a tv show, the question is: "Is it on Netflix?" That's how so many people I know watch everything they watch, and a film like this needs to reach as many people as possible as soon as possible. I was anticipating it, based on the strength of Alex Gibney's other documentaries, but I assume most other people won't be willing to part with AUS $6.99 to rent it on iTunes- currently the only way someone in my part of the world can watch it legally.

When understanding 2020, this will be a good place to start. Totally Under Control covers the beginning response of the Trump administration really well, but in a fast-moving world, it's already outdated now. This did provide a good behind-the-scenes view of the chaos that was happening, and the things I learned shocked me.