Super Size Me (2004)
We haven't seen this movie but
from what we've heard we give it two thumbs down."
- Official McDonald's Statement about the film as
quoted by filmmaker Morgan Spurlock at SXSW 2004
It is obvious from the beginning
of "Super Size Me" that film director Morgan Spurlock
has an agenda. He speaks in such a pedantic, forceful,
authoritarian tone that you have to believe he thinks
he is doing something very important. His film backs
up his voice. He has an agenda here and its about
as boring and as lifeless as any imaginable. Nutrition.
I got so bored during this film
listening to endless pontificating about how Americans
are fat and how we are training kids to be fat that
eventually I just wanted to leave and get a cheeseburger.
There are really long and boring looks at the food
kids get in schools, the way fast food and sweets
are marketed to children using television and characters
like Ronald McDonald, and all the medical problems
Americans now have purportedly because of our lousy
diets. There's also lots of shot of severally obese
people with their faces blotted out so that all the
young, skinny fuckers in the audience can gasp and
chuckle. A guy in the film tells a story about being
at a dinner party where a smoker was mildly derided
for his habit and how this was socially acceptable.
He wonders how long until this is also the case with
obesity. With the release of "Super Size Me," it now
becomes officially socially acceptable to deride,
pity, and even hate fat people. After all, if you
believe this film, no one is born fat. We all get
that way from eating junk food.
Spurlock, for those who know nothing
of this movie, decides to eat nothing but McDonald's
food for a whole month. He has a few rules including,
he must try everything on the menu at least one during
the month and he must Super Size his meal if the McDonald's
cashier asks if he would like to do so. Spurlock suggests
he is going about this in a "scientific" manner by
going to several doctors for check-up and blood work
during the 30 days. This is really a sham because
Spurlock opts to also eat a lot of shakes, sundaes
and other items on the menu in abundance. In reality,
he attempts to do poorly. Only once is he seen to
eat a McDonald's salad. He never tries any of their
other healthier alternatives. He does, however, deride
their alternatives by pointing out how much fat the
salad dressings have and how many calories the Fruit
Parfait has, albeit if you go with the largest size.
He never suggests that while it has more calories
it may also be healthier because it has fruit and
Granola.
This is not a documentary, although
it purports to be one. It is really mainly a personal
video journal about a man who sets out to do something
clever and interesting that in fact turns out to be
stupid and foolish. If you don't think Spurlock is
out to make a name for himself, consider the images
in the film that set out to do nothing else but be
disgusting. We see the video journalist get a finger
up his rectum. We see him vomit (with a nice close-up
of the complete purge afterwards for disgusting visual
effect). We see a repulsive surgery in close up with
images from cams used during the operation. It's shock
journalism, not more valid than TV shows like "Extra"
or "Hard Copy."
As a filmmaker, Spurlock often incorporates
some cool images to act as transitory effects. He
has some animations and some computer graphics that
help keep the film moving and interesting. The best
of this, however, is the "Chapter" title cards that
feature painted images by Ron English, an artist who
uses pop culture icons (like Ronald McDonald) in disturbing
ways to point out the absurdity and dark side of our
consumer culture. Many of these paintings are quite
stunning.
Spurlock has captured a pop culture
phenomenon on film. America's obsession with health
is as timely and as titillating as its obsession with
food, sex and drugs. This is just another example
of how a group of people can be ostracized and shamed
for being "different." Watching it is about as pleasant
as going to your doctor.
Note:
Also with Jarod of Subway fame,
Spurlock's girlfriend (a vegan chef) and a guy who
eats almost nothing but Big Macs. In July of this
year, he will celebrate eating his 20,000 one of the
McDonald's staple.
Shot on Mini DV. Edited on a Macintosh
G4.
Viewed at SXSW 2004 with my friend
J.H. The filmmaker was in attendance and did a Q&A
after the film.
