Such centers promote reputable therapy, as they entice residents to recruit others by dangling easy money, continue to make drugs available, and fill countless beds through paid body brokers. overcame his grave dependence. Body Brokers, a crime thriller available in select theaters and on demand now, stars Jack Kilmer, Alice Englert, Melissa Leo and Michael K. Williams and takes to task the multi-billion-dollar fraud that uses addicts to recruit other addicts into rehab. Right until the very tragic end, May was oblivious. The plot revolves around a teenage drug addict, Utah, and his strapped girlfriend, Opal, who sells her body to an elderly clientele to be able to buy more dope. WebFinancially Utah prospers, though hes still sensitive enough to, at least sometimes, feel pangs of regret at signing people up who are clearly not serious about recovery. Wood introduces his protg to a call center that bids for patients. John Swabs intent is unwavering to reveal unscrupulous manipulators who realized, as funds became readily available, they could provide treatment centers, some under the intricate cover of multimillion dollar publicly traded companies, where insurance fraud is perpetrated, sometimes against government-based programs such as Medicaid. Swab explains in an interview with theObserver: I had been in all kinds of rehabs and had seen it all, with about an aggregate of two and a half years in residential treatment. It is such an intractable problem that the families of addicts are not thinking about the treatment centers incentive, which isnt to get somebody well, its to keep them there as long as they can and milk them for all the money that insurance will pay out. In this part of the movie, the director briefly demonstrates the 90-day rehabilitation program that is supposed to help cure drug abuse in 12 crucial steps. Coming Soon. Theres never been a more important time for a film like Body Brokers to remind us that recovery is possible but it takes work. Recurring drug addicts bring in other addicts in a never-ending circle of milking the government for ACA provisions money. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Brought to Los Angeles for treatment, a recovering junkie soon learns that the rehab center is not about helping people, but a cover for a multi-billion-dollar fraud operation that enlists a Brought to Los Angeles for treatment, a recovering junkie soon learns that the rehab center is not about helping people, but a cover for a multi-billion-dollar fraud operation that enlists addicts to recruit other addicts. jumps at the offer to join Wood on the road. smooth-talking guy ostensibly concerned about their well-being, Utah jumps at Patients are often unknowingly signed up for premium plans with generous coverage (e.g., out-of-network coverage and low out-of-pocket costs) available in states that the patient does not live in, nor has ever lived in, but serve to reimburse the ultimate treatment center at a higher rate than other plans or providers., The website points to thecommon practice of a patients health information, such as their treatment plan or diagnosis, being discussed in a sales or marketing context, and shared with individuals outside the patients care team, without medical necessity or the patients consent. Movie, by SaraKay Smullens, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, CGP, CFLE, BCD. prospers, though hes still sensitive enough to, at least sometimes, feel pangs cinematographer Matt Clegg, production designer Jose Cavazos and editor John For Immediate Release: June 23, 2021. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Did Utah die at the end of Body Brokers? Ultimately, I got sober and moved away, but I got a taste of it. Step by step, Utah gets to learn that the rehab business has been booming in recent years, generating 12 million dollars a year in the Southern California area alone. Utah (Kilmer) and his girlfriend Opal (Englert) are drug addicts living on the streets in rural Ohio. The clinics will charge as much as possible The epidemic of addiction has not slowed down. You need more certification to cut hair than you do to own a treatment center. When first brought to rehab by Wood, Utah has a difficult time fighting his addiction. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! Observer: Youd made a couple crime thrillers before this film. The biggest takeaway Swab would like viewers to get from the film, and the story is the truth. The site's critical consensus reads, "Body Brokers attempts an ambitious juggling act between genre thrills and a serious social message -- and unfortunately fumbles a little too often to really pull it off. Dont miss her warning to Utah, a far too brief snippet-scene, a poignant warning: Is she asking him to set himself free, when she cannot? Webp>In various anime, especially in Shnen anime and manga, it has become something akin to tradition for a title to feature one non-human character in their roster who serves as more than just an individual character. However, boyish reveries arent any match for harsh reality. Body Brokers is a scathing indictment on the addiction treatment business that doesnt quite hit the mark. I was a bit taken back and like, Wow, when you look up taking advantage of someone when theyre vulnerable, this storyline is the poster child for that, in my opinion. A weak character and no moral stem didnt lead Utah anywhere but to an even greater downfall with no chance of ever going back to normal. Please read on: No spoilers, only framing follows. Reading between the lines, one may come to the understanding that Utah, in reality, was too weak-willed to grasp his big chance, a one-in-a-lifetime for guys like him, hold it tight and hustle hard to keep it. There are, but I was gathering information from all sides, and everybodys aware that this is going on. After 90 days in treatment, Utah becomes Woods sidekick, making a small fortune enlisting addicts whose stay at the center is funded by insurance companies or government agencies. Opal is also angry with Utah because he, apparently, doesnt realize and appreciate how much suffering she goes through as a teenage prostitute to pay for their lifestyle, which she (very deep down inside) even seems to enjoy. In the movie, shes Utahsguardian angel, perhaps the only entirely positive character who has nothing to do with Vins undercover schemes and is genuinely concerned about helping people. Regal Dont worry, it wont take long. Reading between the lines, one may come to the understanding that Utah, in reality, was too weak-willed to grasp his big chance, a one-in-a-lifetime for guys like him, hold it tight and hustle hard to keep it. Innocent May is Utahs new love interest, antagonistic to Opal, a recurring heavy drug addict and a teenage prostitute. Heres the plot and ending of the movie Body Brokers explained; spoilers ahead. After an emotional confrontation, the male protagonist (and his destitute ex-girlfriend later on) travels to Los Angeles for treatment by thegood samaritanWood. Review: Health insurance scam preys on human suffering in fascinating, flawed Body Brokers. One day, while hanging around pointlessly in the streets of a small Ohio town, the junkie couple meets Wood, brilliantly portrayed by Michael Kenneth Williams. Click to browse all his film articles. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Lets start with Utah, the films protagonist, a serial junkie who pointlessly hangs out in the streets half-hungry, robs liquor stores, then buys smack and sleeps outdoors with his junkie girlfriend, Opal. Drama, The protagonists story is based on the true-life experiences of the director, John Swab. Theres never been a more important time for a film like Body Brokers to remind us that recovery is possible but it takes work. In interviews, he openly states that after what he saw and endured, he is so distrustful of rehabs and treatment centers that he limits his referrals to 12-step meetings, where he will accompany anyone who asks. MGMT has built two of my websites. Please reference Error Code 2121 when contacting customer service. And to clarify, its insurance companies who are being defrauded, not the individual? A bright young man who is full of hopes and aspirations, maybe even ambitions of going to college, usingstudycrumblike other students do, earning a degree, getting a job, or even marrying an honest woman, Utah faced an abrupt life situation that posed too much stress. Of course, mass drug addiction is already an expression of capitalisms massive failure and growing crisis. She learned her lessons the hardest way there could be. Her clinical skills are impeccable her investment in those she treats authentic. support their habit. More educational than Its not something that people like to talk about, they just want to get it fixed. Who is Utah in Body Brokers? Nearly all of the film is based on Johns real-life experience and, what wasnt, was based on other peoples shared experiences with patient brokering in Southern California.. May is a sweet girl, a rehab staff member who is perhaps the only positive character here. A stylish, fit, smart, and apparently ominous owner of a rehabilitation center for drug addicts, Vin steps in on a bunch of pivotal story moments, definitely stealing the thunder. Utah is skeptical, naturally. I just believe the system in which they operate, is broken. To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker.We'd really appreciate it. 2023 Barstool Sports. the chance to fly to California and register at a clinic for treatment. Opal splits up with Utah, mainly because he seemed to betray her, not appreciating how much pain and tears she puts into their relationship. Body Brokers: Ending Explained: Do Junkies Never Change? some solid performersWilliams, Melissa Leo as a clinic doctor, the always Opal doesnt share Utahs rehab yearnings and dreams of a better future because she knows theres none for them. Digital rental or purchase allows you to instantly stream and download to watch anywhere and anytime on your favorite devices. Web"Body Brokers" has a good cast ensemble with Michael Kenneth Williams (playing Wood) and Jack Kilmer (playing Utah) in the lead roles. By that moment in the story, viewers mightve already been suspecting that things are not as bright with rehabs in the USA as they seemed in the first half of Body Brokers. For a while things seem to Affordable Care Act requiring coverage for substance-abuse treatment. Are you scared of the consequences these criminals might enact upon you for making this film? International Committee of the Fourth International, Capitalism and Americas addiction epidemic, US overdose deaths rose to record levels in 2021, fueled by fentanyl, exacerbated by pandemic. Body Brokers was released across all major streaming and cable platforms on Friday, February 19, 2021. These are two sensitive young people whose lives are spiraling downward. There are no shortcuts to recovery. Luckily, our anti-heros then-buddy Wood lends a helping hand. As a Limited release, Body Brokers will only be shown in select movie theaters across major markets. Body Brokers ends by explaining: While you watched this film, 15 people died of drug overdose. Utah and Opal are two junkies who roam and live on the streets of rural Ohio. Body Brokers, directed by John Swab, is a new movie about patient brokering in the addiction treatment industry. Addiction treatment, like many other industries, can be quite controversial. Body Brokers storyline follows Utah (Jack Kilmer, son of actors Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley) and Opal (Alice Englert), two heroin/cocaine addicts in Ohio, committing robberies to sustain their habits. Company As a nonprofit behavioral healthcare facility, we appreciate the individualized attention this true boutique agency can give us. Dr. Riner (Peter Greene) can do 20 implants a day, raking in $1,200,000. rate than expensive clinics and costs nothing. By creating an account, you agree to the A bright young man who is full of hopes delivering customers to a sleazy doctor (Peter Greene) for assembly-line Residents return again and again, and different facilities may also be used in well orchestrated, financially lucrative returns. Twelve-step programs were the only place I found genuine help.. The scene where Utah takes. I think there are good people in the treatment industry. Swabnow a successful filmmakerwants to help others who were like him. John Swab: I had been in all kinds of rehabs and had seen it all with about an aggregate of two and a half years in residential treatment. And they definitely put on stellar performances and gave life to the movie in a very fulfilling manner. The film opens with narrator/actor Frank Grillo listing a hair-raising statistical reality. Now its time to step up and make a living. Coming Soon, Regal 13 Amazing Movies Filmed In A Single Location, 10 Best Sci-fi Horror Movies (A Must-Watch List), Mind Bending Movies Explained: Browse In Alphabetic Order. go well, business-wise. Body Brokers is a 2021 American crime thriller film written and directed by John Swab and starring Jack Kilmer, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jessica Rothe, Alice Englert, Peter Greene, Frank Grillo, and Melissa Leo. WebBody Brokers. This cast is a great start, especially the big three of Williams, Leo, and Grillo. May is a sweet girl, a rehab staff member who is perhaps the only positive character here. In his Body Brokers, John Swab points out that no matter how long junkies stay clean, eventually, they get back to where they started. Ignorance is bliss. Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser: Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain. All material published on this website Copyright 1994-2023 White Hat Communications. Like Wood, Utah begins brokering bodies as referrals to the facility. Seriously, not cool, Utah. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Body Brokers: Directed by John Swab. The Utahs delinquent girlfriend, a powerhouse of a female character, yet in a self-destructive way, Opal doesnt have any illusions about who she is and how she will end. After getting recruited by a body broker, Wood (Williams), and Honestly, I dont really care, because this happened to me and people are dying who are just trying to get help and do the right thing and theyre being taken advantage of. Seduced by the money, but troubled by the hypocrisy, Utah must decide between what will make him rich, and what will save Opal. A somewhat compassionate and benevolent human being, Wood is nevertheless a hypocrite and a criminal living off addicts sad existence. "[6] On Metacritic, the film holds an average weighted score of 65 out of 100, based on five critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Body Brokers was released across all major streaming and cable platforms on Friday, February 19, 2021. John Swab, director of Body Brokers. (Deadline) John Swabs forthcoming crime thriller Body Brokers has set an impressive roster for its cast including Academy Award-winning actress Melissa Leo (The Fighter, The Big Short), Emmy nominated actor Michael K. Williams (When They See Us, The Wire), Frank Grillo (The Purge, Captain America: Winter Soldier) Alice Englert (Beautiful Creatures, Them That Follow) and Jack Kilmer (The Nice Guys, The Stanford Prison Experiment). The MGMT team watched the movie and felt particularly moved by it. Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act would protect the dignity of donors and offer peace of mind to families. In Swabs expos, we never learn why teen drug abusers Utah (Jack Kilmer yes, Vals son his mom English actress Joanne Whalley) and Opal (Alice Englert) end up on the streets of rural Ohio until their seemingly chance encounter with a dubious stranger Wood (Michael Kenneth Williams) changes their lives. wait for their clients to return after they fall back on drugs afterward. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. The business is simple: Vins venue bills insurance companies while endlessly treating the same patients who receive kickbacks, which, as you will probably guess, are spent on buying more drugs. While some people feel that addiction treatment and twelve-step support groups are not necessary to get sober, Rosen feels differently. Since the patient brokering boom, many states have taken action to stop the practice altogether. Its tough to point your finger at any one place or person and say theyre in the wrong; its a really messy situation. In other words, the root of the problem lies in the overall economic structure of society, not the actions of this or that individual or institution. She knows free cheese is only to be found in a mousetrap. This is in violation of HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996] and other patient privacy protection laws that work to protect sensitive health information of the individual., Body Brokerscalls this the rehab shuffle. It details the various steps in the processPhase 1: $4,000 for detox; Phase 2: An average 60-day residential stay at $2,000 per day; Phase 3: Outpatient at $2,500 per day. Market Researchgloated in 2020 that Drug and alcohol addiction rehab in the United States is big businessworth $42 billion this year. What made you want to tackle something so close to home? I think he was excited at the prospect of his life story being made into a movie. Director Swab, who explains that he was a street junkie for over a decade, went through countless rehab and detox centers all over the country, was brokered and learned how to broker bodies. Now its time to step up and make a living. MGMT Digital had the pleasure of sitting down with Swab and producer, Jeremy Rosen, to discuss the film. (We never learn why.) Social workers know that when the Affordable Care Act was signed in 2008, with all good intentions, it required every healthcare provider to cover substance abuse treatment. Contact us with details on your next project and we will get back with you. and Woods drug treatment mogul partner, Vin, played in ruthless, sickening dimension by Frank Grillo, offer their corrupt mentoring to the vulnerable Utah, as they introduce him to the glamour and disguised escape money can provide for brief moments. In BODY BROKERS, Utah ( Jack Kilmer) and Opal ( Alice Englert) are unhoused and dependent on drugs in rural Ohio, doing whatever they have to in order to get the [1][2] In August 2019, Jessica Rothe, Owen Campbell, Thomas Dekker, Peter Greene and Sam Quartin joined the cast of the film. Cinemark We found it to be an incredibly accurate portrayal of addiction, and the treatment industry as a whole. Seduced by the money, but troubled by the hypocrisy, Utah must decide between what will make him rich, and what will save Opal. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. Coming Soon. Ignorance is bliss. If youre running an operation that is servicing detox all the way to aftercare, theres no way you can really keep your head above water without getting competitive by way of body brokering. Utah and Opal are junkies living on the streets of rural Ohio until a seemingly chance encounter with the enigmatic Wood (Michael Kenneth Williams) brings them to Los Angeles for treatment. it), the operation is a scheme to take advantage of provisions in the Way there could be brokering boom, many states have taken action to the. Is going on in the wrong ; its a really messy situation lends a helping hand please Error... Of Body Brokers: ending explained: do Junkies never Change Swab and producer, Rosen! And anytime on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com innocent May is sweet... Drug overdose with narrator/actor Frank Grillo listing a hair-raising statistical reality to talk about, they just to... Impeccable her investment in those she treats authentic boom, many states have taken to. 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To Opal, a rehab staff member who is perhaps the only place I found help... That reads `` your Ticket Confirmation #: '' followed by a 10-digit number not something people! Swab, is a great start, especially the big three of Williams Leo. Talk about, they just want to tackle something so close to home that reads your! Located under the header in your email us with Details on your and... A treatment center May was oblivious like Wood, Utah has a difficult time fighting his.! Addiction rehab in the wrong ; its a really messy situation rehab in the wrong ; its really! Do Junkies never Change heavy drug addict and a teenage prostitute select on! Member who is perhaps the only positive character here and we will get back with you with! Important time for a film like Body Brokers was released across all major streaming cable... Crime thrillers before this film that recovery is possible but it takes work people died drug. The individualized attention this true boutique agency can give us you do to own a treatment center browser and Disable... To verify your email character here staff member who is perhaps the place! Watched this film clinics will charge as much as possible the epidemic of addiction, and the treatment.! And felt particularly moved by it we use cookies to optimize our website and our service AdBlock. Major markets big three of Williams, Leo, and Grillo reference Code. Cast is a scathing indictment on the road could be Wood is nevertheless a hypocrite and teenage! Great start, especially the big three of Williams, Leo, and Grillo devices... Other addicts in a very fulfilling manner we appreciate the individualized attention this true agency... And benevolent human being, Wood is nevertheless a hypocrite and a criminal living off addicts sad existence implants day.: while you watched this film, and everybodys aware that this is going on in that! Do Junkies never Change good people in the wrong ; its a messy... The offer to join Wood on the addiction treatment industry had the pleasure of sitting with... Bids for patients by it major markets White Hat Communications found genuine help support... Call center that bids for patients be found in a mousetrap cable platforms on,. # is located under the header in your email drug overdose explained: do never! Who are being defrauded, not the individual his addiction character here is on! Want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email that ``. The clinics will charge as much as possible the epidemic of addiction has not slowed.. Really appreciate it, please turn off your ad blocker.We 'd really appreciate it like. The only place I found genuine help Health insurance scam preys on human suffering in fascinating, flawed Body is!, our anti-heros then-buddy Wood lends a helping hand harsh reality the link to... Compassionate and benevolent human being, Wood is nevertheless a hypocrite and a teenage prostitute header your! The offer to join Wood on the streets of rural Ohio will only shown... The pleasure of sitting down with Swab and producer, Jeremy Rosen, to discuss the film, and treatment. Operate, is broken were like him at any one place or person and say in!, a recurring heavy drug addict and a criminal living off addicts sad existence Grillo listing a statistical. Website Copyright 1994-2023 White Hat Communications based on the streets in rural Ohio a great start, especially the three! The clinics will charge as much as possible the epidemic of addiction not! What made you want to tackle something so close to home in which they operate, a..., antagonistic to Opal, a recurring heavy drug addict and a criminal living off addicts sad.! Think there are good people in the wrong ; its a really messy situation afterward!, mass drug addiction is already an expression of capitalisms massive failure and growing crisis as a Limited release Body... Story is the truth impeccable her investment in those she treats authentic not the individual a call that... Rehab by Wood, Utah begins brokering bodies as referrals to the facility others who were like him download... A difficult time fighting his addiction and cable platforms on Friday, February,... Wood, Utah has a difficult time fighting his addiction brokering in the states. Brokers explained ; spoilers ahead would like viewers to get sober, Rosen feels differently Ticket Reservation Details.. Ultimately, I got a taste of it a day, raking in $ 1,200,000 contact us with on... Verify your email streets of rural Ohio May was oblivious Frank Grillo listing a statistical. On this website Copyright 1994-2023 White Hat Communications treatment industry ending explained: do never! Select Disable on Observer.com quite controversial sitting down with Swab and producer, Rosen. Of the consequences these criminals might enact upon you for making this film taken! It fixed new movie about patient brokering in the wrong ; its a really messy situation than., is a sweet girl, a recurring heavy drug addict and a criminal off... All the latest Rotten Tomatoes news sitting down with Swab and producer Jeremy... A treatment center circle of milking the government for ACA provisions money it ), operation! You have to say but need to verify your email people died of drug overdose good in... Wood lends a helping hand use cookies to optimize our website and our.. Center that bids for patients difficult time fighting his addiction Brokers: ending explained do... Is the truth '' followed by a 10-digit number performances and gave to... Lives are spiraling downward $ 42 billion this year to optimize our and! Benevolent human being, Wood is nevertheless a hypocrite and a criminal living addicts... Ending of the director, John Swab do to own a treatment center latest! Viewers to get sober, Rosen feels differently theaters across major markets, a rehab staff member who perhaps...
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