Food Inc. (2008)

Review:

Documentaries like Michael Moore’s documentaries are good for society because, while they can be construed as either populist propaganda, the way it is, or somewhere between the two (the best bet), they at least start a dialogue. In my opinion, sparking people’s interests in pressing, contemporary issues is always good. Not to sound pompous or proselytize, but the foundation of a functioning democracy should be the informed discourse of the public. The documentary has thankful arisen as a powerful mechanism for the proliferation of information.

“Food Inc.” is not a Michael Moore documentary. Its less belligerent, more even tempered. Directed by Robert Kenner, it lays out a portrait of the American food industry that is less than becoming. The film explores how a few giant corporations are solely responsible for over 90% of food in America. Some of these companies practically have unquestioned monopolies over certain foods, crops, and even genes.

The thesis behind “Food Inc.” is that the all of the labels on the food we eat suggest the food comes from an idealized old-timey American farm when in fact it came from a giant processing factory, where contaminations and mistreatment of animals and laborers are just the norm.

With commentary from the likes of Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan, the film lays out how the food industry has become revolutionized over the past fifty years, beginning with the rise of fast food and the concept of running restaurants like factories. From there, the food industry grew into a well-oiled machine oriented around expediency and profit, often mowing over the traditional American farmers, forcing them out of business or forcing them to join the ranks of corporate farmers.

This is a startling documentary. It is another entry in a series of documentaries that seeks to show how profiteering corporations trample over the little guys with little to no regard for the country at large. Perhaps the most startling aspect of “Food Inc.” is the testimony of the small time farmers who have been ruined or coerced by these food companies.

If I had to be harsh on “Food Inc.” I would say parts of it are a little disorganized, not flowing naturally from one subject to the next. But “Food Inc.” is successful on a larger scale, painting a harrowing picture of a food system that needs drastic reform.

Rating:

On a scale of one to Casablanca, this film is a “21 Grams” (2003).

Rationalization:

Films that force you to see the bigger picture are always important. When taking a panoramic look at something, its best not to sweat the small stuff. “Food Inc.” is a fascinating film and will make you think twice about what you eat. And beyond its prompts for food industry reform, you see that the agenda of “Food Inc.” is also to raise awareness of issues concerning immigration, poverty, public health, and the people sitting in power in our government.