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The Pathological Optimist

Play trailer 1:51 Poster for The Pathological Optimist Released Sep 29, 2017 1h 33m Documentary Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A profile of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, the man behind the anti-vaccination movement.
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The Pathological Optimist

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Robert Abele Los Angeles Times You can ... see the haze of ego-driven denial that keeps him focused on publicity and cultish survival, rather than truly proving his detractors wrong. Oct 5, 2017 Full Review Frank Scheck Hollywood Reporter The controversy over vaccinations will rage on and this cinematic portrait will merely be a footnote. But it proves a compelling one, however you may feel about the burning issue. Sep 28, 2017 Full Review Phil Guie Film-Forward.com [There's] a troubling lack of criticism toward anti-vaccine extremists who have rallied around Wakefield's research and seemingly have provided him a sense of community. Rated: 1/5 Mar 22, 2019 Full Review Amelie Lasker FF2 Media Bailey is telling an important story in showing the ways in which these types of personalities exert their influence. More generally, the film shows the ways in which false claims catch on and get perpetuated. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 26, 2018 Full Review Lisa Jo Sagolla Film Journal International Regardless of where you stand on the vaccination issue, it's possible to relish Miranda Bailey's highly informative, anger-arousing film, and to feel it's promoting your own views. Sep 29, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (17) audience reviews
Milton G The Documentary left me thinking that Wakefield knows the benefits of vaccination, but also knows how to become a Billionaire by using faked science and faked research. I have no doubt whatsoever that Mr Wakefield protects himself by using vaccines, as he knows the consequences. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The title should have been "The Pathological Optimist: The Truth About Andrew Wakefield According To Himself And The Anti-vaxxers Involved In Making This Film". But hey, I know, it's just too long of a title to work. If a film advertises itself as a fair and unbiased look at something, shouldn't it deliver? This does not. Que sad, dramatic music...spend the majority of time interviewing Wakefield, his family, and his handful of desperate and vulnerable science, history and Immunology illiterate supporters, provide only brief flashes of a limited amount of the legal and professional outcomes of his fraudulent and unethical actions, mislead viewers (who likely have little to no reliable information prior to seeing this tripe) by ommission of incredibly important facts, and you will have.. this film. Truly disappointing!!! I'll add this to my list of 'Wasted time I won't get back's activities. Here's another wonderful and honest critique that lists a multitude of accurate critiques about this film: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-pathological-optimist-more-a-hagiography-of-andrew-wakefield-than-a-documentary-about-him/ Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review sandor b Didn't know this existed. Figures. The brave new world we live in wouldn't allow it in the mainstream. outstanding portrayal of man versus the beast. good versus evil. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A great film, and a very scary look at the corruption that reigns in the world today...A must watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent film, tells the truth about Andrew Wakefield's fight against the vaccine industry. Well worth a look ?? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member I saw this film on amazon prime. finally the man gets to tell everyone what happened to him. it's not the picture portrayed by the mainstream media that readily lynched him for the pharmaceutical companies. a must see film! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Pathological Optimist

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A profile of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, the man behind the anti-vaccination movement.
Director
Miranda Bailey
Producer
Miranda Bailey, Marc Lesser, Amanda Marshall
Distributor
The Film Arcade
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 29, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$11.2K
Runtime
1h 33m
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