Under Our Skin
Directed by: Andy Abrahams Wilson Cast: Dana, Mandy, Jordan Running Time: 1 hr 45 min Rating: Unrated Release Date: September 26, 2009
PLOT: An exploration of Lyme Disease from the point of view of people afflicted with the disease as well as doctors who've dedicated their career to helping Lyme patients in unorthodox manners.
WHO'S IT FOR? Anyone except hypochondriacs. I'm not joking, any undiagnosed aches and pains will suddenly become Lyme disease.
EXPECTATIONS: I was hoping for a well balanced documentary that made an interesting case for why Lyme disease is an "epidemic."
SCORECARD (0-10)
ACTORS: Mandy as herself: Mandy's a newlywed, with advanced Lyme disease. She's only 29 at the start of the film but she has trouble with movement, including walking. Lyme disease has changed her whole life, and it's taken over her husband's life as well. Though she's a small part of a larger film, her willingness to share the indignities of her disease is beautifully brave. Score: 9
Jordan: A former park ranger turned author, Jordan actually got diagnosed with Lyme disease at an early stage. Nevertheless, he's been afflicted for years. Jordan has chronic Lyme disease, a diagnosis that's controversial. He has to travel across the country to find a doctor willing to treat him. Literally, he flies from Nevada to New York for treatment. But he's finding a way to make his life work. I admit, the stories of these people afflicted with a disease that doctors won't even agree of the existence of is really heartrending. Though we only see Jordan for a small part of the film, you admire his courage for being part of this film. Score: 8
Dana as herself: Dana has an awesome job, she works as a promoter on the U2 tour. Unfortunately, she's also in constant pain. She seems really in control, until you realize how badly she's allowed her disease to get out of control. Dana talks to the camera in such an honest and direct manner you can't help but admire her. Have you ever tried to grade the performance of a person with a disease opening themselves up on camera? Yeah, try that sometime. She gets a ... Score: 9
TALKING: Despite occasional medical jargon, the filmmakers do a great job of making a difficult topic understandable. This film deals with some difficult issues, mainly why the medical community at large refuses to accept Lyme Disease as a chronic illness despite the evidence of hundreds of people afflicted with the disease. The fact that they can make this relatable and understandable is very impressive. Score: 8
SIGHTS: Under Our Skin must have had a decent budget because it looks great. The scenes filmed on location look good and there's some nice illustrative animation. I'm really surprised, looking as good as it does, that they didn't get a wider release. Score: 8
SOUNDS: The music is decent, the sound is good ... and that's all I have to say about that. Score: 7
PLOT SPOILERS
BEST SCENE: I really enjoyed finally hearing about why the medical establishment refused to accept Lyme Disease as a chronic condition. It felt like a great gotcha moment in a thriller rather than a revelation in a documentary.
ENDING: I didn't think it was possible but it did end on a hopeful note. But the moment it was done I wanted to know where everyone was right now. To say they won me over completely was an understatement.
QUESTIONS: How can you believe these people are imagining their symptoms? Why is the medical establishment willing to let people suffer? Isn't there a way around this bureaucracy?
REWATCHABILITY: Remember what I said at the beginning about not watching this if you're a hypochondriac? I take it back, I would totally show this to a hypochondriac, it would be hilarious.
OVERALL
At the end of last year I reviewed Indestructible, a film about a man suffering from ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. Though that film was about a single man struggling with a disease, the two films have a lot of overlap. Under Our Skin looks at Lyme Disease from the perspective of patients, individual doctors and the medical establishment. It's the rare film that speaks with high ranking people from the opposing side (doctors who claim that Lyme Disease is easily treatable and not chronic) and come out fighting. I can't say I was totally impassive, it didn't take me long before I was completely sympathetic for the patients. But despite their stories, the film still believes in making it's case. Wilson has done a wonderful job, and I can only hope his next film gets a wider release.
FINAL SCORE: 8/10