Totally Under Control

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.

Remember Dr. Nancy Messonnier? Exactly. But there she was, the face of the CDC, warning of pandemic and closures necessary to contain it, back in February. FEBRUARY!

Messonnier was swiftly swept under the Trump carpet where all science based experts reside. It is a big carpet, with a growing bump. Huge bump. That is the sad crux of this documentary, a thorough, blow by blow spine-chilling COVID-19 dateline, and the shocking ineptitude and dangerous apathy from the Trump government (if you can call it that) in response. Not much new here for anyone keeping up with the news, fake or not, but when presented in a calm, simmering sequence, plays out like a bloody horror movie. Which, let's face it, it is.

"Totally Under Control" is an impressive cinematic achievement, stretched out like a real time news program, brimming with startlingly blunt interviews, thorough investigations, slick editing, and stunning clips. The parade of despondent experts daunting. The series of unfortunate events mind-boggling.

Just to rub salt deeper into the festering wound, an alternate reality, the successful South Korean response to the virus is not just eluded to, but is presented in all it's meticulous glory. A cold hard slap to the face of American foolishness. Ouch.

A series of bungles, lies, incompetencies, and cover ups, lead to a catastrophe most are still trying to properly comprehend. This is an utterly infuriating watch. A strong drink might help.

The dictatorial and abusive power wielded by the president is at the rotten core of this calamity, and filmmaker Alex Gibney eagerly lets The Don indict himself throughout. Repeatedly. Important agencies bow to his whims, try to massage (in vain) disasters, and for the most part, dare not contradict or question Trump for fear of reprisal. Those who do, are quickly dispatched. Fact or fiction? The lines are blurry.

Will a devastating pandemic that threatens to hurl America into full blown depression finally sway the Kool Aid drinkers, or is this the end of the greatest country in the world? We are about to find out. This important film is ample warning, and a primo election primer.

• hipCRANK

What an extremely aggravating and educational doc. Sure, so much of this we already knew, but there's a lot more scummy stuff going on in our (American) federal government than we realize. So much of this could've been stopped or at least minimized if we had the right leadership, or at least someone who listened to science, doctors, and facts instead of pushing an agenda and making something like a face mask political. During the whole pandemic I think it'd be safe to say that i've stayed pretty educated with all the things happening, but I was still able to learn a lot. This is definitely something everyone should watch, especially if you're an American.

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.

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.