The Botany of Desire (2009)

Michael Pollan, a professor of journalism and a student of food, presents the history of four plants, each of which found a way to make itself essential to humans, thus ensuring widespread ... See full summary »

Directors:

Michael Schwarz, Edward Gray (co-director)

Stars:

Frances McDormand, Michael Pollan

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Frances McDormand	...	Narrator
Michael Pollan	...	Himself

Storyline

Michael Pollan, a professor of journalism and a student of food, presents the history of four plants, each of which found a way to make itself essential to humans, thus ensuring widespread propagation. Apples, for sweetness; tulips, for beauty; marijuana, for pleasure; and, potatoes, for sustenance. Each has a story of discovery and adaptation; each has a symbiotic relationship with human civilization. The film tells these stories and examines these relationships.

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Plot Keywords:

pleasure | plant | marijuana | tulip | apple | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2009 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kikim Media

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: They are four of the most common plants we know. We've always thought that WE controlled THEM. But what if, in fact, THEY had been shaping US?
Michael Pollan: We - don't give nearly enough credit to plants. They're, have been working on us. They've been using us. For their own purposes.

User Reviews

Absolutely Fantastic

I love documentaries, and for some reason wasn't interested in this one, I eventually decided to give it a shot, and WOW. I was absolutely sucked in within the first 2 minutes of the show and did not lose a spec of interest throughout. The show really put the emphasis on getting you to see things from the plants point of view, although equally valid in a symbiotic relationship is the human point of view. This documentary instills a sense of wonder about the world that I haven't felt sense I watched the planet earth series (the BBC version, the American narrator puts you to sleep). It is full of fantastic quotes on every scene, one of my favorites, yet a little silly is, "flowers are exquisitely useless." This show is the perfect mix of science, history, and beauty. If you like documentaries, this is one of the best, and whether you're interested in botany or not, this show will speak to you on a deep level and is a must see.

P.S. I've been a huge IMDb fan for many years, I finally made an account just so that I could review this documentary, that is how much I enjoyed it.