Wow...this is a documentary that was very well done. Probably a lot better than this, my maiden "movie review", will be. But here goes....
The gist of Food Inc. was to arm consumers, eaters if you will, with some information - information that, if nothing else, will hopefully prompt them to ask questions of the origin of the food they are about to eat before they lift their forks next time. Before they pluck another box of something processed off the shelf at the mega market, it will prompt them to take another look at reading a label and consider its real contents. And hopefully, it will prompt America and the rest of the "modern" world to pause a moment and re-evaluate "progress" as it relates to our food industry. As someone who has recently entered the growing industry on a slightly larger than backyard garden scale, it reminded me personally, of the importance in what I'm doing and made me proud of my little farm. I hope it inspires others to follow suit. It was a movie designed to make the viewer think, without, appearing to me anyway, trying to scare people - although some of this stuff is pretty scary.
The movie moves the viewer along fairly well with new topics or "chapters" introduced very creatively and with a definitive play on words. Speaking of creative, I loved the opening where they introduced the producers, directors, etc., on the signage and packaging labels as they peruse a grocery store's aisles, while explaining why we should be concerned with the availability of 40,000+ products on the shelves and the real way most of them get there.
As they attempt to trace the origins of some of the food, Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan well known authors, as well as others not so well known, including farmer, Joel Salatin and entrepreneurs from various industries like Stoneyfield Farms, reveal some disturbing stories and in some cases, even more disturbing images, of how our food is "grown", "processed" and at what costs to the animals, workers and, the end "users" - you and me who eat the "food". My favorite story was of the farmer who had the courage to speak up about what was going on - I want to send her a thank you card. This is a tough look at behind the scenes to something that really shouldn't have any curtains - our food. I think the writer does a good job exposing some very controversial, yet highly hidden, facts about our food. I wish they'd have spent just a little longer on "the bright side", offering more hope and details of how the consumer can help make real changes.
The end of the movie does suggest some ways consumers can take a bit of control over what appears to be a powerless situation. If I may do so here on this forum, not only do I suggest you see the movie, but I suggest you follow the suggestions. Food - you are what you eat. Eat well.
And no, I skipped the likely GMO corn popcorn tonight.....I'll make some organic popcorn tomorrow night here at home instead. And somehow, I doubt anyone who attended this free screening tonight, stopped at a fast food restaurant on their way home.....and had a few pondering over what they had eaten in line waiting to see the film I'm sure.
