2004



May 19, 2004
Camera 3
USA
English
96 minutes

A FILM OF EPIC PROPORTIONS -- SUPERSIZE ME.

Funny story of a guy who decides to eat nothing but McDonald's for 30 days. It affects his health just as you'd expect. The hype around this film is so strong that no movie could live up to it. But a few things stand out in my mind.

It really is funny that his girlfriend is a vegan chef. She is much more understanding than other vegans I've known. She is also completely open about how his new diet has impacted their sex lives.

I know a little something about gastric bypass surgery and we get to see quick shots of the 30 minute procedure that one guy goes through. We also see his "after" photo.

He doesn't blame any particular segment of the corporate world for America's obesity. He is mostly just reporting on it. His calls to McDonald's for an interview go shockingly unanswered.

The stuff about a child's exposure to bad food commercials is really the scary part. Even a perfect parent would be hard-pressed to defeat the rapid-fire commercials that kids love. Junk food is on tv, its in the schools, its what other kids eat.

His final plea to McDonald's isn't to close up shop. It's just to offer other alternatives on the menu. But would anyone choose them?

*** Ebert
*** Berardinelli
**** EW