Fast Food Nation

Finally a political film that's actually got something to do with me and my daily life. Don't get me wrong, I have real feelings for the people dying in Africa and the Middle East, but here's a poignant film that speaks to the ideals of my daily economy. Richard Linklater's latest is a heartfelt gem about our American food and our American way of life and, unfortunately, it will be completely ignored by the masses. Fast Food Sales Rep Harry (Bruce Willis) puts it nicely: "People don't want to be told what's good for them."

There are some very important pieces of writing in this film. Patricia Arquette's character, specifically, is a perfect thematic type. She lies on the bed, a couple drinks deep, and muses her wish to "open the cages and free all the puppies." Co-writer Eric Schlosser, author of the book on which the movie is based, was able to pull off some of this humanistic touch in the original book, despite the fact-based expose style, but in this dramatized script it's allowed to really shine through. The heartstrings are pulled, especially throughout the Mexican struggle. This is clearly based on Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, which is based on fact. And eighty years later, we're told, it's even worse. The Jungle pounds the point home again and again until we and Jurgis are reduced to a dehumanized huddling mass, but Linklater's film keeps it from becoming a "worst-case scenario" by giving us an ironic sense of hope. It's heartbreaking.

But as I have said, this film will be completely ignored. Linklater suspects this, and a few of his characters even state it within the context of the film. "Revolutions are for the young," he says, promptly providing us with a prime example of an idealistic, yet poorly-planned and eventually ineffective example. Revolutions may be for the young and idealistic, but keeping the status quo in place is for the old and powerful. Knowing something is bad and not doing anything about it, though, that's something we all share.