Image Courtesy of National Geographic for Disney+

Film Review: Fauci

11:00 September 15, 2021
By: David Vicari

National Geographic Films presents Fauci, a documentary on Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the top infectious disease specialists on the current COVID-19 pandemic. Is it pro Fauci? Yes, it is, and filmmakers Janet Tobias and John Hoffman make a sound argument that their subject is a genuinely good man.

Not surprisingly, the documentary gives us a quick run through of Fauci's background and personal life, like a funny anecdote about how he met his wife, Christine Grady. Of course, we see Fauci on the front lines of the current COVID-19 pandemic and, how, at the beginning, he said that he doubted that people needed to wear masks. It was confusing, and a misstep on his part, but he quickly rectified it and stated that, yes, people should wear masks to protect themselves from COVID. Then there is his frustration in dealing with the now former occupant of the White House, who would often contradict anything Fauci would say regarding the pandemic and how people can keep themselves safe from it.

The most engrossing part of the documentary is Fauci's contributions in battling the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. At first, AIDS activists considered Fauci as the enemy—just a clinical scientist who didn't care about the lives lost. Instead of push back, Fauci met with HIV/AIDS activists to try and find solutions together. It's clear in interviews with the doctor that he is emotionally affected by the AIDS era.

This documentary is an engaging portrait of Dr. Fauci. Fauci is currently playing at The Prytania Theaters at Canal Place.

*** ½ stars (out of four)

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