Cystic Fibrosis is a heredity childhood disease in which thick mucus forms in the lungs and causes all sorts of breathing and bowel problems. There is no known cure for CF, and those suffering from the disease usually do not survive into their twenties. Bob Flanagan had CF, but instead of letting the illness have its way with his body, Bob fought back...in a most unusual way. The award-winning documentary SICK chronicles the life of Bob, and the unique approach he took to combat CF before the disease's ultimate triumph.

Bob Flanagan was the third of five children in his family to suffer from CF, and the longest to survive. After his early days as a poster child for the local CF Foundation, Bob took a different slant to coping with his disease in his teens. Well aware of the fatal consequences of CF, Bob began to explore avenues of sensation to experience by whipping and hanging himself while a teen. His parents didn't suspect a thing. Moving forward, Bob became totally immersed in the world of S/M, as the subservient masochist. He explains in the film that a masochist must be strong; they must know their body in order to give it to another and control the pain. In this way, Bob could control the constant pain of his CF. In 1982; he met the mistress of his world Sheree Rose, and agreed to be her slave for life. Together, they embarked upon a mutual path of S/M that lead to Bob becoming one of the most unorthodox performance artists ever.

Combining video, pictures and actual live performance into a display of pain and perseverance. Beyond his art, Bob also was a counsoler at a summer camp for children with CF, and a participant in the "Make-A-Wish" Foundation (really!). Always using a sense of humor in his performances - some of his songs are really funny, in a disturbing kind of way -, Bob became truly one of the most unique artists ever to have shows in places as diverse as New York galleries to San Francisco S/M clubs. I don't want to reveal the details of these performances, many are presented in SICK, but I'll just say two words - 'nails' & 'penis'. If you've got the will, and the stomach, you have to experience the cutting edge world of Bob Flanagan.

Producer/director Kirby Dick was given basically unlimited access to Bob's world for the last two years of the artist's life, and presents a compelling story of a man who refused to just lay down and accept his fate. Intercutting interviews with Bob and Sheree, his parents and others with Bob's actual performance footage, Dick lets us into a world that is at once both disturbing, but admirable for Bob's courage in dealing with CF. There are scenes of extreme S/M which will test anyone's limits, but also scenes of Bob's humor and compassion in helping others with CF. Not to be one-sided, Dick also shows us Bob when he's not 'on' - arguing with Sheree, tired of his constant pain, and finally, in the hospital for the final time. Bob's world is not the ideal for the majority of us, but Dick gives us a tour which leaves you perhaps a little nauseated, but understanding and respectful of a man who faced a killing disease and fought it his way.

SICK, as with many documentaries, has very uneven qualities in picture and audio. Some of the footage is obviously shot by novices (out-of-frame and/or out-of-focus), and some of the interviews are done 'cinema verite' - shot spontaneously without sets or "movie" lighting. Dick also uses video and photomontages to visualize some of Bob's interviews and poems. There is also more intimate video footage of Sheree using a camera herself and talking to Bob. The overall quality, however, is very watchable because of good editing to minimize the poorly shot, but important, scenes. Audio is inconsistent, again owing to the different media used for the film. Most of the performance scenes are clear, even if shot by a hand-held camera. Again, Dick uses smart editing skills to insure a listenable film despite the sound fluctuations between many scenes.

Lion's Gate has released SICK with a number of very interesting extras. There is a full-length commentary by director Dick, as well as a short interview and his introductions to eight deleted scenes. There is an update on Sarah, the young woman whose wish to meet Bob is fulfilled in the film. There are four performance videos of Bob's shows (also introduced by Dick), as well as the original trailer, an isolated score, and DVD-Rom game, if you've got the drive (I don't...darn).

Bob Flanagan faces a fatal disease in a unique way. By pushing his body to the edge of pain and beyond, he shows us all that there are no limits. Even if S/M is not your "thing", Bob's strength and courage should be an inspiration to rise above the mundane and reach for the stars - the only limits are the ones we put on ourselves. SICK is a wonderful tribute to a one-of-a-kind artist - thanks Bob!