"Traffic" with beef
When I first heard about Richard Linklater's "Fast Food Nation," I was bewildered as to how anyone could adapt a nonfiction book about fast-food consumerism and the meat industry into a fictionalized film.
But after talking to another reporter, it now makes sense. "'Fast Food Nation,' is just 'Traffic' with beef," he said.
That works. After all, audiences already have seen "Traffic" with oil -- and that was based off a nonfiction book, too.
"Fast Food Nation" tells the story of the fast-food and meat packing industry through the eyes of three characters -- Greg Kinnear, the vice president of marketing for Mickey's, a fictionalized fast-food chain; Wilmer Valderrama, star of "That '70s Show," as a Mexican illegal immigrant working at a meat-packing plant; and "Growing Pains" star Ashley Johnson, as a Mickey's fast-food cashier.
Linklater is able to approach the subject matter surprisingly well. A lot of the criticism leveled at the meat industry is seen through the eyes of Johnson's character, who finds herself drawn to a group of environmentally conscious and liberal college students. Meanwhile, Greg Kinnear gets the fast-food industry's point of view when he is sent to investigate the meat-packing plant after tests find that the chain's beef patties have high concentrations of fecal matter. (Bestline by Kinnear: "I'm still dealing with the same bullshit today.") Valderrama does a good job of potraying a Mexican illegal who takes us inside the plant to see the highly graphic slaughtering process and the poor treatment of illegal workers.
The film is slightly preachy at times, but is aware of this by showing the arguments for and against idealists and realists. The stories are interesting and dramatic, and the film never takes on the style of a documentary, which might be boring to typical moviegoers.
Although "Fast Food Nation" might be able to get its point across better as a straight documentary, the fictional elements of the film will allow it to reach a larger audience.
Four stars
***
Wayne's star system
1 star --> avoid at all costs
2 stars --> watch on TV when nothing else is on
3 stars --> rent it eventually
4 stars --> must see before you die
But after talking to another reporter, it now makes sense. "'Fast Food Nation,' is just 'Traffic' with beef," he said.
That works. After all, audiences already have seen "Traffic" with oil -- and that was based off a nonfiction book, too.
"Fast Food Nation" tells the story of the fast-food and meat packing industry through the eyes of three characters -- Greg Kinnear, the vice president of marketing for Mickey's, a fictionalized fast-food chain; Wilmer Valderrama, star of "That '70s Show," as a Mexican illegal immigrant working at a meat-packing plant; and "Growing Pains" star Ashley Johnson, as a Mickey's fast-food cashier.
Linklater is able to approach the subject matter surprisingly well. A lot of the criticism leveled at the meat industry is seen through the eyes of Johnson's character, who finds herself drawn to a group of environmentally conscious and liberal college students. Meanwhile, Greg Kinnear gets the fast-food industry's point of view when he is sent to investigate the meat-packing plant after tests find that the chain's beef patties have high concentrations of fecal matter. (Bestline by Kinnear: "I'm still dealing with the same bullshit today.") Valderrama does a good job of potraying a Mexican illegal who takes us inside the plant to see the highly graphic slaughtering process and the poor treatment of illegal workers.
The film is slightly preachy at times, but is aware of this by showing the arguments for and against idealists and realists. The stories are interesting and dramatic, and the film never takes on the style of a documentary, which might be boring to typical moviegoers.
Although "Fast Food Nation" might be able to get its point across better as a straight documentary, the fictional elements of the film will allow it to reach a larger audience.
Four stars
***
Wayne's star system
1 star --> avoid at all costs
2 stars --> watch on TV when nothing else is on
3 stars --> rent it eventually
4 stars --> must see before you die
posted by Wayne Ma at
1:12 AM
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