In 1994 Oregon became the first U.S. state to legalize physician aid-in-dying. Anyone who's diagnosed as having less than six months left to live can lawfully request a fatal dose of barbiturate to end his or her life. It's a controversial subject and Richardson does an amazing job of examining an emotionally charged issue by creating an extremely intimate and compassionate portrait of Cody Curtis, a 54 year-old wife and mother coping with the brutal diagnosis of liver cancer, and her surgical oncologist, Dr. Katherine Morris. Given six months to live, Curtis decides to face the end on her own terms while trying to enjoy her remaining time to the fullest. The candid conversations between Curtis and Dr. Morris are humbling to witness. Morris struggles with her own beliefs when faced with prescribing medication that will end Curtis' life, who is a friend as well as a patient.
Kate Morris is a dear family friend who took tremendous professional risks in participating in this documentary, caring for her patient with incredible compassion and kindness. She says she was "shocked" by the contrast between "thinking about it in the intellectual realm of 'This is a law that supports my values,' versus, 'I'm actually going to take a pen and write a prescription for something that will end someone's life."
How to Die in Oregon looks at both sides of a very controversial and painful subject and emerges as an ultimately life-affirming and devastatingly powerful look at what it means to face the end of life with dignity. Both patient and physician reveal enormous longing and bravery in a way few documentaries have ever captured. I was fortunate enough to see this film last year and it left me moved, overwhelmed and tremendously proud for those involved. It may be the hardest movie to watch that you'll see this year - it's also the one you should absolutely not miss.
How to Die in Oregon premieres on HBO this Thursday, May 26th at 8:00 PM.
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