Film Lens
American Addict is a documentary film that focuses on prescription drug abuse in the United States. It presents first-person accounts from various individuals including addicts, their families, doctors, and researchers. The film discusses the corporatization of drug dependency and its effects on public health, featuring notable guests such as Matthew Perry and Ron Paul. Archival footage is used to illustrate the role of prescription narcotics in the deaths of celebrities like Heath Ledger and Michael Jackson.
The franchise consists of multiple films, with the first installment released in 2012 and a second film, The Big Lie: American Addict 2, premiering at the Seattle International Film Festival in the same year. The films also critique the political connections between the pharmaceutical industry and government, noting the influence of medical companies on political campaigns during both the Bush and Obama administrations. The trilogy aims to raise awareness about the ongoing issues related to drug abuse and the pharmaceutical industry's impact on society.
Why Watch
- •See Matthew Perry discuss addiction firsthand.
- •Find out how prescription drugs affect public health.
- •Meet influential figures like Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich.
Did You Know
•American Addict is part of a trilogy, with the third film planned for 2018.
•Matthew Perry and Ron Paul are among the featured guests in the film.
•The film was rated the second-best documentary by Mic on Netflix in 2012.
•Archival footage includes celebrities like Elvis Presley and Robin Williams.
Perfect For
Prescription drug policyCelebrity addiction storiesPharmaceutical industry critique