Movie Review: “Food, Inc.”

Seen on: June 13, 2009

The players: Director: Robert Kenner, Cast: Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser and many more

Facts of interest: None.

The plot: A look at what's wrong with America's corporate food industry.

Our thoughts: Robert Kenner’s “Food, Inc.” is not really a documentary. It’s more like a one-sided investigative piece that looks at what’s wrong with America’s food industry all while urging viewers to support local farmers and buy organic.

Despite the film’s look at the flaws of the nation’s corporate-run food supply from just one side of the argument, I agree “Food, Inc.” is still quite an entertaining experience, offering cinemagoers a variety of compelling interviews and dramatic footage.

Kenner divided the film in several sections, including a dark look at how big corporations process and package meat, a detailed examination of the increasing use of corn in food products, and an emotional exposé of the gravity of new food-related illnesses.

While I agree “Food, Inc.” raises some interesting questions and makes some good points, the film also shows you things you probably already know. I mean, in today’s world, it doesn’t really take a movie anymore to tell you how shocking conditions are in some of these slaughterhouses.

Occasionally, the film takes a step back from propagandizing, and to be honest, that’s when it intrigued me the most. For instance, Kenner’s section about how farmers struggle with corporate pressure is a real tough one to digest. Another sad story is that of a mother who lost her kid to a deadly E. coli strain.

Technically, “Food, Inc.” hits the right notes, with Kenner using smooth, original transitions to lead from one section of the film into the next. Footage taken with hidden cameras also provides a certain thrill for viewers at times.

Freaky quote: "The industry doesn't want you to know the truth about what you're eating." – Narrator

The final word: All in all, “Food, Inc.” is quite watchable, despite its rather annoying message promoting organic products. A really solid documentary doesn’t really preach to people. Then again, this isn’t a real documentary. In the end, it’s more of a statement, really.

Article by Franck Tabouring