Writer and director Morgan Spurlock documented the effects of a nation’s love of fast food, and what the consequences to something like this would be, in his 2004 smash-hit documentary Supersize Me. Although this movie was released five years ago, one is able to see the global impact it made, as well as the continuing effects of North America’s fast food eating epidemic. Throughout the film consumers will compare the size of McDonalds meals in the USA compared to the size of meals in say France, or some other part of Europe, only to prove that they would not only consume the food in America as the European chains seem to taste better, but as well because of the amount of food given in America.
The sizes of fast food meals have increased, and through the eyes of Morgan Spurlock the viewers see how his thirty-day fast food binge can go horribly wrong. A documentary such as this speaks to a host of people and uses a concept that is understood globally (that of obesity, and fast food chains) and displays it using the medium of film to cross culturally spread the word. By using America as its base for criticism it shows other countries both where they can go as far as obesity and over eating in their own country, as well as shows exactly what an over consumption of fatty foods can do to you.
The effects Supersize Me has made on chains of McDonalds restaurants is clear, although McDonalds does not admit to any affect this film had on their corporation, they have still changed their menu slightly to cater to a healthier lifestyle. Kids meals with apple slices and juice options, as well as salads, and wraps on their main menu. This documentary was meant for global viewing, and it has changed the ways in which fast food chains run their business, it was successful in both showing a global epidemic and well as fostering change.
Heather Palmer