This new biopic from HBO, starring Al Pacino as the infamous Jack “Dr. Death” Kervorkian, was directed by Barry Levinson (Diner, Rain Man, Wag the Dog), written by Adam Mazer, and co-stars, Susan Sarandon, Danny Huston, Brenda Vaccaro and John Goodman.
The film follows Kervorkian’s crusade to offer assisted suicide to the terminally ill as an alternative to a painful, lingering death. He is aided in his mission by his loyal friend Neal Nicol (John Goodman) and his older sister Margo Janus, (Brenda Vaccaro). Susan Sarandon plays Hemlock Society activist Janet Good, who also offers support. By his own estimate, Kervorkian assists in approximately 130 suicides.
Ultimately, Kervorkian is indicted for second-degree murder, and is defended on a pro bono basis by Geoffrey Fieger (Danny Huston). After serving eight years of a 10 to 25 year sentence, Kervorkain is paroled.
While Kervorkian’s public story is certainly compelling, this film goes beyond the headlines, and shows us something of Kervorkian’s personal life and complex character.
