Damaged Care Reviews

Damaged Care isn't a perfect film, but its subject matter has such compelling immediacy that it overcomes its minor flaws. This story of the managed care industry and its casualties (including the souls of some of those who work within it) demands to be told. Laura Dern delivers a strong, sympathetic performance as Dr. Linda Peeno, who wrestles with her conscience while working in the insurance industry. Under tremendous pressure from her superiors, Dr. Peeno allows patients covered by the insurance companies to suffer and die before finding, as the her narration poetically (perhaps a bit too much so) puts it, "her own voice." James LeGros brings humanity to the part of Dr. Peeno's unsupportive, philandering husband. The supporting cast is also strong, although some of the more reprehensible characters come across as stock villains, rather than human beings. The film occasionally falls into the usual trap of TV movies based on real events; the filmmakers try to condense too much information into the film's running time, and the ellipses make everything seem a bit pat and contrived. But Dr. Peeno's story is an inspiring one of a confused but principled person, seduced by the promise of a comfortable life, who eventually finds the courage to let her principles guide her.