Super Size Me (2004)

While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.

Director:

Morgan Spurlock

Writer:

Morgan Spurlock

Stars:

Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Chemeeka Walker

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chemeeka Walker	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Dania Abu-Rmaileh	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Amanda Kearsan	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Christian Baucher	...	Himself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Amelia Giancarlo	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Geoffrey Giancarlo	...	Himself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Alexandria Morgan	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Chanelle Clarke	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Marisa Danenfield	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Katie Danenfield	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Megan Foley	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Edmand Cardero	...	Himself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Jay Cohen	...	Himself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Jonnae Strong	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel
Audrey Whitfield	...	Herself - Kid of Camp Mt. Laurel

Storyline

Several legal suits have been brought against McDonald's Restaurants that they are knowingly selling food that is unhealthy. Some of the court decisions have stated that the plaintiffs would have a claim if they could prove that eating the food every day for every meal is dangerous. As such, documentarian Morgan Spurlock conducts an unscientific experiment using himself as the guinea pig: eat only McDonald's for thirty days, three meals a day. If he is asked by the clerk if he would like the meal super sized, he has to say yes. And by the end of the thirty days, he will have had to have eaten every single menu item at least once. Before starting the experiment, he is tested by three doctors - a general practitioner, a cardiologist and a gastroenterologist - who pronounce his general health to be outstanding. They will also monitor him over the thirty days to ensure that he is not placing his health into irreparable damage. He also consults with a dietitian/nutritionist and an exercise...

---

Plot Keywords:

fast food | experiment | overeating | mcdonald's restaurant | food industry | 

---

Taglines:

The first ever reality-based movie ... everything begins and ends in 30 days!

---

Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, a disturbing medical procedure, and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Super Size Me

Filming Locations:

Appleton, Wisconsin, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$516,641, 9 May 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$11,529,368, 26 September 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Con, Kathbur Pictures, Studio On Hudson

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the San Francisco premiere Morgan Spurlock said that getting permission to shoot in NYC McDonalds was often denied (in which case they would often hide the camera or go out to the car and eat), but to acquire consent in less paranoid cities generally consisted of the following exchange: "What are you guys filming here?" "We're shooting a MOVIE!" "OK."

---

Goofs

When Jared Fogle attended an assembly at Northview Middle School, he mentions that he lost weight on the Subway diet. Subway's meals have just as much calories and fat as McDonalds. Subway's nutritional labels show that just about every sub sandwich including the meal has hundreds and hundreds of calories. There is no way to lose weight while on a fast food diet. Morgan himself proved it to be a fact.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Children: A Pizza Hut! A Pizza Hut! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! A Pizza Hut! A Pizza Hut! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! McDonalds! McDonalds! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! McDonalds! McDonalds! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! I like food! I like food! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut! You like food! You like food! Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut!

---

Crazy Credits

The last credit line reads: With VERY special thanks to my ex-wife's insurance provider for covering all medical costs. Thanks co-pay!

---

Alternate Versions

The spoof drawing of the Last Supper was cut from the Singapore theater and some DVD releases of the film (it is present on R2 rental discs, at least.)

---

Connections

References Teletubbies (1997)

---

Soundtracks

Pusherman
Performed by Curtis Mayfield
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment Company / Curtom Records
By arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing

User Reviews

XXL for the masses

I never thought I'd see a documentary as unsettling as this based on fast food products. It's so suspenseful at one point that I actually asked myself whether this really was a mere documentary or a dramatic film.

As crazy as it may sound, director Spurlock underwent a one month long "therapy", consisting of a McDonaldesque menu - at all times of the day. It may sound mesmerizing for some, but, in the end, the results are frightening.

The issue of being fat is a modern tale in America. When people are too well off and lack one or another essential trait of a normal human being strange things start happening. What's so delightful in a very grotesque sort of way is that Spurlock doesn't only sacrifice himself on the altar of junk food in order for the public to admire some devastating effects on the human body, but he does it with style. Structured on chapters and similar in the making with Moore's "Bowling for Columbine", Spurlock's film is still enjoyable and pretty to the point. It's serious when it has to be, amusing when it can and extremely captivating. All in all, one hell of a "documentarian" ride.