Having read and loved the nationally bestselling book Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser, I can’t wait to see the film adaptation that hits theaters on November 17th. The book takes a hard-hitting look at the fast food industry and the control it wields over the American public. It chronicles the history and growth of one of America’s greatest institutions, including some pretty revealing biographies of the “founding fathers” of fast food, Carl Karcher and Ray Kroc. What really sets this book apart from the average political satire is the fact that Schlosser is not just propagandizing his views. He relates the growth of the fast food industry to the growth of our country, and shows that in a sense, the industry is just the ultimate result of America’s obsession with capitalism: owners growing profits at all costs. Fast Food Nation is also about the trickle down effects of the growth of fast food, including the poor conditions of the meat packing industry, the underpaid burger flipping staff, the marketing of fast food to children, and the general effect of fast food dollars on our fast food country. Though fictional, the movie takes heavy inspiration from the book, following the path of the burger, from the meatpacking plant to the underpaid food clerk to the corporate big wig to your mouth. It promises to be a revealing look at an often-overlooked aspect of our daily lives, and one that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of fast food lovers everywhere. Do you want McLies with that?
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