Fast Food Nation

Plot

An ensemble piece examining the health risks involved in the fast food industry and its environmental and social consequences as well.

Release Year: 2006

Rating: 6.3/10 (15,009 voted)

Critic's Score: 64/100

Director:
Richard Linklater

Stars: Greg Kinnear, Bruce Willis, Catalina Sandino Moreno

Storyline
Don Anderson is the Mickey's food restaurant chain's Marketing Director. He is the inventor of the "Big One" the hamburger best seller of Mickey's. An independent research reports the presence of cow's feces in the Big One. So Don is sent to Cody, Colorado, to verify if the slaughterhouse, main supplier of Mickey's, is efficient as it appears and the production process is regular. During his investigations he discovers the horrible truth behind a simple hamburger; the reality is not like we think it is. Don discovers what the mass production system involves, from the temp workers like Amber, to the exploitation of Mexican irregular immigrants. It is not only the meat that is crushed in the mincing machine, but all our society.

Writers: Eric Schlosser, Richard Linklater

Cast:

Wilmer Valderrama
–

Raul

Catalina Sandino Moreno
–

Sylvia

Ana Claudia Talancón
–

Coco

Juan Carlos Serrán
–

Esteban

(as Juan Carlos Serran)

Armando Hernández
–

Roberto

(as Armando Hernandez)

Greg Kinnear
–

Don Anderson

Frank Ertl
–

Jack

Michael D. Conway
–

Phil

(as Michael Conway)

Mitch Baker
–

Dave

Ellar Coltrane
–

Jay Anderson

(as Ellar Salmon)

Dakota Edwards
–

Stevie Anderson

Dana Wheeler-Nicholson
–

Debi Anderson

Luis Guzmán
–

Benny

(as Luis Guzman)

Bobby Cannavale
–

Mike

Francisco Rosales
–

Jorge

Taglines:
Are we what we eat?

Details

Official Website:
Fox Searchlight [United States] |
Hanway Films [uk] |

Release Date: 17 November 2006

Filming Locations: Austin, Texas, USA

Opening Weekend: $410,804
(USA)
(19 November 2006)
(321 Screens)

Gross: $1,004,059
(USA)
(28 January 2007)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

USA: 116 min
 |
France: 114 min
(Cannes Film Festival)
 |
Argentina: 113 min

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers):
Greg Kinnear's character is credited as "Don Anderson", however, he clearly introduced himself as "Don Henderson" to the cashier after ordering at Mickey's.

Quotes:

Paco:
Well I can't think of anything right now more patriotic than violating the Patriot Act!

User Review

A healthy dose of much needed reality

Rating: 9/10


This movie is a fast food chain's worst nightmare. The trans fats,
chemicals and artificial flavors these corporations pump into their
so-called "food" has been slowly killing a generation of children for
long enough, and finally someone's come out with a film revealing the
inner workings of this dishonest and dangerous industry. The imagery is
compelling, with a convincing and talented cast. This is the payback
fast food corporations have needed for a long time coming. Hopefully
many will see this movie and walk away better educated in order to live
a longer, happier, and most importantly, healthier life. Watch out for
fast food industry propagandists posing as film critics in order to
discredit this film, their future and income very well depends on the
ignorance of the general population. (Cigarette corporations anyone?)