You Don’t Know Jack

The Supreme Court of India today ruled that mercy killing or active euthanasia through administration of lethal substances is not a permissible option for Ms. Aruna Shanbaug, lying in a vegetative state for 37 years in a Mumbai hospital. However, it allowed passive euthanasia of withdrawing life support to patients in permanently vegetative state and laid down a set of guidelines under which passive euthanasia can be approved and monitored.

One of the most riveting films on euthanasia is the 2010 film You Don’t Know Jack starring Al Pacino in the title role as Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the controversial physician, who advocated the legalization of euthanasia and, between 1990 and 1998, personally helped over 130 terminally ill patients commit suicide.

In the film, Dr. Kevorkian defies Michigan law to assist the suicide of terminally-ill persons. Support comes from his sister, a lab tech, the Hemlock Society president, and a lawyer. Kevorkian assembles an euthanasia device, which is attached by an intravenous drip to the patient. The individual pushes a button, which releases the drugs or chemicals to end his or her life. The local district attorney, the governor, and the legislature respond. Kevorkian is arrested and foolishly decides to do his own defense.

Directed by Barry Levinson, the film co-stars Susan Sarandon as vocal activist Janet Good, and John Goodman as Kevorkian’s trusted friend and supporter Neal Nicol. Pacino is masterful in his assay of Dr. Kevorkian in this uneasy, thought-provoking drama, which won him an Emmy and also won a Golden Globe in 2011. The film was also nominated for Outstanding Made for Television Movie at the Emmys.