Super Size Me (2004)
A film of epic portions.
Starring: Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Lisa Ganjhu, Stephen Siegel, Bridget Bennett, Eric Rowley, John V. Banzhaf III, Samuel Hirsch, John Robbins, Don Gorsche, Barbara Brown, Neal Barnard, Adam Namaan, Lisa Howard, Gene Grabowski
Director: Morgan Spurlock
Running Time: 96 minutes
US MPAA rating: PG-13UK BBFC rating: 12a
Documentary
If Michael Moore has put do-it-yourself agitprop documentaries on the map, then Morgan Spurlock has put them on the menu. Inspired by a lawsuit brought (unsuccessfully) by two obese girls against McDonald's "for selling food that most of us know isn't good for us anyway", Spurlock's 'Super Size Me' is a feature-length onslaught on the fast food industry in general and corporate bigboy McDonald's in particular, arguing that their pernicious stranglehold over the (ill) health of US citizens is comparable to that of the tobacco industry in the previous century.
While the trademark stunts which Michael Moore pulls in his films (like in Fahrenheit 9/11 when he asks passing US Congressmen to sign up their own children for combat in Iraq) can certainly be entertaining, to my mind they represent him at his weakest and most simplistic - but Spurlock manages to structure his entire film around an ingenious gimmick which, although big and dumb, proves to be an undeniably compelling illustration of his point. Playing the guinea pig in a bizarre experiment designed to test claims made by McDonald's about the nutritional value of their meals, Spurlock subjects himself to a month-long régime in which he consumes only food and drink available from McDonald's, three times per day, while he, his horrified vegan girlfriend Alex, and a team of doctors, all monitor the staggering deterioration of his life, libido and health. Spurlock may seem to be telling us only what we already know, but for all its apparent obviousness, Spurlock's point is well worth making. Few may honestly believe that mass-produced burgers and fries are actually good for you, but McDonald's repeatedly insists that they are (and even the doctors seem genuinely surprised just how life-threateningly bad the all-junkfood diet turns out to be) - and in case you imagine that no-one besides mad documentary makers actually eats McDonald's every day, McDonald's actually has its own special label (the 'super heavy user') and business strategy for such valued customers.
As the side-order to this 30-day journey into bloat, impotence and liver damage, there are plenty of factual nuggets concerning the food lobby, dietary health, increasing portion sizes, advertising, food addiction, school canteens, fitness programmes, weight-loss fads and radical surgery, all pointing towards a ruthless industry that cares far more about fattening its own profits than contributing to the balanced nutrition of its customers. Spurlock's supersized charm makes this detail-rich diet very easy to swallow - and seeing him literally ram the argument down his own throat is enough to make anyone think twice about buying a burger on the way home.
Recently, the documentary film has become one of the only mainstream outlets for alternative voices in America, be they against the gun lobby ('Bowling for Columbine'), or the so-called War on Terror ('Fahrenheit 9/11'), or Rupert Murdoch's self-interested distortion of news events ('Outfoxed'), or conversely in defence of the Arabic news network al Jazeera ('Control Room'). Television networks would not dare commission a documentary like 'Super Size Me' for fear of upsetting their corporate sponsors, and even the big movie studios would be likely to shy away from anything which might jeopardise their special tie-in deals with the fast food companies - but 'Super Size Me' was self-financed and self-produced, and the buzz it created at various festivals (starting with Sundance, where it won the award for Best Director) has guaranteed it a wider public release. By turns funny, sickening and alarming, this should be seen by anyone interested in what they eat - just go easy on the popcorn and soda.
See also Review of Super Size Me by gary Panton
It's Got: Cynical lawyers, alarmed doctors, a horrified (and sex-starved) vegan, a diet from hell - and a group of first graders who mistake an image of Jesus for George W. Bush ("that's a good guess" comments Spurlock) but who have no such difficulty recognising Ronald McDonald.
It Needs: To eat less and exercise.
Alternatives: 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape', 'Heavy'
Summary: Spurlock's supersized charm makes this detail-rich anti-corporate 'diet-ribe' very easy to swallow.
Review Date: 24th September 2004
External Links
Official Web Site
Super Size Me at the IMDB
Comments11 Comments |
| The movie was great i just started dieting now because oh my gosh he got fat quickly and man i dont wanna start barfing like that eew |
| Comment by:- Julia simmons | | 07 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| if i wasnt already scared enough of mcdonalds now i definately am. i didnt realize fast food could do that to you. also i really want to try to get better food in my school cafeteria too cause people live out of vending machines or french fries. ewww. good movie! |
| Comment by:- ashley kane | | 11 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| That documentary was really inspiring and made me realize how fattening not only mcdonalds, but any fast food restraunt is. Not only did it provide interesting facts, it also was very funny. They really need to start providing more nutritous food in cafeteria's, too, because kids end up living out of vending machines, like ashley kane said. great movie!!! |
| Comment by:- Noelle Harrington | | 11 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I think that the movie was very interesting and kinda retarded. Why would anyone want to eat that gross greasy food 3 times a day for 30 days?? beats me! well yea i think that that guy is kinda crazy. I think that people in other countrys should see this flim because they are to thin and they need some help! |
| Comment by:- Leslie and Mercedes | | 11 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I just watched this movie and while I've never been a big fast-food guy, I doubt I'll ever go to one again. The changes he went through in just 30 days was unbelieveable....and all he did was eat McDonalds' food. Anyone that watches this movie and can go get a Big Mac needs severe psychiatric counseling. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 19 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Excellent film, I also enjoyed the discussion with author Eric Schlosser in the Bonus section of the DVD. Right now, I say I "will never eat fast food again" after seeing this documentary. Truth is, I will, at some point, due to convienence, cost, or even a road trip. Unfortunately there are not many alternatives out there. I wish they would serve Organic (NO pesticides) food, NON-processed, NO artifical colors, NO trans-fat, NO MSG, and NO food coloring. Serve Free-Range Chickens, Grain/Vegetable feed cows, buy meat from farms that do NOT stuff their animals into crammed spaces living in their own feces (do you know BK cuts the beaks of their chickens since they are so crammed and the chickens would fight and "damage" the meat). Something to consider, I was getting horrible headaches until I switched to an organic diet. I know for a fact I was having an allergic reaction to something in my food, but good luck finding out what it was (some chemical). My wife's Rheumatoid Arthritis was also helped when we switched to Organic food. Coincidence? Basically, for me, this movie was preaching to the choir. But to see the decline his body took after 30 days was very disturbing. I hope his body recovered from what he put it through. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 21 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| sucked |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 26 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I can honestly say the movie really opened not only my eyes, but my kids eyes,I'm happy to report that since watching the movie we haven't eaten out at a fast food resturants, and we won't be anytime soon, my husband and I have been cooking at home and have noticed that since doing this my kids are loosing weight and don't seem to be as laggy and tired. I'm sorry his body had to go threw everything but I'm so thankful . God Bless |
| Comment by:- Laurie | | 26 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Great Movie and makes a good point. Something most of us already knew, but it drives the point home. Of course we all say "we will never it fast food again" after seeing the movie but we would be lying to ourselves. We will eat at McDonalds again, no doubt about it, though i think the amount of consumption is where this movie will have its greatest impact. |
| Comment by:- Psilaxs | | 27 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| We watched in our food and nutritions class... we were all grossed out but it was informative anywaz. Most of it yeah, we already know, but it helps to get like details and specific examples. Definately disturbing, but funny in some parts. |
| Comment by:- Kary | | 04 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Thank you,for all of your comments about my movie and I hope you enjoyed it! |
| Comment by:- Morgan Spurlock | | 04 November 2004 | ip: logged |
