Never mind the Oscar for Best Documentary; consider this a contender for Best Feature Film. The level of drama, tension, humor, and cringe in You Can See Everything is off the charts, and this combination is what makes the film so special and so hard to look away from. Not only does it stay with you after the credits roll, but it also inspires viewers to take action—whether that means sending a tweet, posting a reaction on Tinder, or writing a letter to its central subject, the infamous Elizabeth Holmes.
It is a rare feat for a movie to make the viewer change their mind so many times about who the villain truly is, but here, there is simply no other way. At times, you can’t help but feel bad for “Liz” (as she is called here); she almost makes you forget the awful things she did and question whether she really did them at all. Then, suddenly, Elizabeth reappears, briefly reminding you of who she is and allowing you to right the ship.
Ms. Holmes’s husband proves to be the real, unsuspected villain of the film. Dressed in heartthrob clothing (and at times, not dressed at all), he repeatedly interrupts the filmmakers when he finds the line of questioning unfavorable. He tries to appear friendly and supportive, but consistently projects the opposite. This man’s display of bigotry and deceit is so frustrating that audiences can’t help but vocally express their irritation, scene after scene. The cringe this couple emanates is so intense it becomes almost funny—but only “almost.”
The truth about this documentary is that it is a truly heartbreaking and frustrating story. Your heart doesn’t always break where it should, which forces you to question who you are as a person. You can’t help but feel protective of the film itself and its co-director, Nathan Fielder, who at one point makes me wonder if he, too, hasn’t been bewitched by Ms. Holmes.
The most fascinating and hilarious part of this documentary, however, comes via the appearance of Amanda Seyfried, the actress who played Elizabeth Holmes in the Hulu miniseries The Dropout. Ms. Seyfried is a breath of fresh air, reminding the viewer of the reality behind these people and the absurdity they are once again trying to sell to the public.
Forget the fact that Ms. Holmes is trying to rebrand herself as a more approachable and friendly person. Consider that even after all the damage she has done, and all the money she defrauded from some of the most powerful men in the country, here she is once again trying to build a medical care tech business—from prison. Is it possible that anyone will willingly partner with Theranos and invest in this new idea? The answer may truly be the most shocking part of this entire documentary.
Let’s hope that, at minimum, this film serves to remind viewers to always do the right thing and to never give up, because I feel there isn’t much more that can be taken away from this movie that would have a positive impact on our society. Regardless of what you think about the subject of this documentary, you should not miss out on this masterpiece. Believe it or not, this film will change your life.
