Watch This: Fast Food Nation

WATCH THIS: FAST FOOD NATION 2006, 116 min
Director: Richard Linklater
Writers: Eric Schlosser, Richard Linklater
Stars: Greg Kinnear, Bruce Willis, Wilmer Valderrama, and others

This is not a documentary but rather an ensemble piece starring Gregg Kinnear and many other famous faces. This Hollywood film follows Don, a Marketing VP
for fictional Mickey’s fast food chain. Don and his team are the inventors of The Big One, a new, highly popular fast food burger.

Don receives information from an independent research team that the meat used in The Big One is contaminated with animal feces. His company quickly sends
Don to Cody, Colorado, the location of the main processing plant that produces meat used in the Big One. Don’s goal is to observe the practices of the
processing plant and determine if there is any validity to the independent research that he has been given.

At first glance, the facility looks immaculate. Everything is white and clean, very sterile looking. However, once he talks to some locals, he realizes he hasn’t seen
a vast majority of the plant, where less than appealing practices are rumored to take place. Don soon discovers the rumors are true.
A profound scene takes place between Don and Harry (played by Bruce Willis), a go-between for Mickey’s and UMP, the manufacturing plant. Don expresses his
concern regarding the feces in the meat, as well as the inhumane treatment of the workers. Harry responds with a rant that Americans’ demands for a clean and
sterile food supply are unrealistic. Harry claims if people just cook the meat, it is perfectly fine to eat.

Fast Food Nation, not only explores the obvious horrors of the fast food industry, but also touches on other social issues. Subplots include the exploitation of
illegal workers and the horrendous work conditions to which they’re subjected, as well as the overall treatment of workers in the fast food industry, from factory
workers to people preparing food in restaurants. Also, this film exposes the audience to the industry’s horrific treatment of animals, their living conditions,
and how brutally they’re killed.

This film finds credibility by accurately portraying themes similar to those in other documentaries focused on this topic. WARNING: Many scenes are almost too
difficult to watch and left me shocked, but that’s the point, isn’t it? To awaken us to the reality of mass food production in this country so we can choose whether
or not we want to ingest the products or support these companies.

Check it out. It’s worth your time.
Just don’t watch during dinner!

Coach Lyndsey Marshall   Whitefish, MT