If you are a devout meat eater I have a movie for you. A movie for you to avoid at all costs. Fast Food Nation is a social commentary about our society and how the fast food industry affects our lives on a daily basis. It’s not the most politically correct industry and writer/director Richard Linklater sheds an ugly light on this sometimes corrupt business.

Loosely based on the book of the same name, Fast Food Nation is an ensemble piece telling multiple stories. From the executive doing research on his companies’ meat supply, to the teenage girl working behind the counter in the restaurant, to the immigrants hired to work in the meat supply plant. All of their stories are well represented and all of them are faced with a difficult decision. After learning the truth about their respective employer, they must decide to forge on as if nothing is going on or they must move on to something else.

The ensemble cast is amazing - several Oscar nominees ( Greg Kinnear, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Ethan Hawke); even an Emmy winner (Patricia Arquette). Rounding out this diverse cast are Wilmer Valderrama, Bobby Cannavale, and a cameo by Bruce Willis.

A top notch cast and a message that will have you talking for hours after viewing it.

I have to be honest with you; I was not looking forward to seeing this film. I really wasn’t in the mood to see a movie like this. I figured it would be very preachy and I didn’t want to hear all that jazz. Sometimes you just want to go to the theater to be entertained. Of course, I was right. This movie became very preachy, but it didn’t matter. This was a really good movie.

It opened my eyes to the suspicions I had for years about eating processed meats. I don’t want to get into the specifics, but you will be slightly disturbed, I know I was. Don’t get me wrong, this movie had it’s share of humor and even some sex scenes (if that gets you to the theaters).

The main purpose of this movie was to educate us about what we are putting in our mouths. Unfortunately, it’s not all that good. Like I said before, if you are a carnivore through and through, STAY AWAY! This movie has some moments that will make your stomach turn. Especially, the last few minutes when they actually show the slaughter and dismemberment of a several cows. If you have popcorn, you’d better finish it quickly.

That being said, I did enjoy this film. There are some strong performances and some really funny scenes that lightened the mood. This movie picks up where the documentary Super Size Me left off. An education I wasn’t necessarily looking for, but I’m glad I stayed for the entire class.

by Thomas Ferguson