Food, Inc.

Think twice about buying that hotdog or fizzy drink before sitting down to watch Food, Inc.: you’re not likely to finish them. Robert Kenner’s film is an insightful and at times troubling exposé of the American food industry. Fast Food Nation writer Eric Schlosser is one of many contributors revealing the history of multinationals feeding us contaminated products, exploiting workers and animals alike (steel yourself for some disturbing footage) and keeping the poor unhealthy. Mixing talking heads with human-interest stories (most movingly one concerning a bereaved mother), Kenner’s approach differs little from many crusading docs of recent years (think Robert Greenwald or Kirby Dick), but it remains engaging throughout and admirably avoids hectoring. Unfortunately, for all its passion and indignation, it can’t quite offer the kind of answers that, say, An Inconvenient Truth could. Then again, that might be all the more reason for its existence. Just don’t plan a romantic meal for afterwards. [Michael Gillespie]