Reviews

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  ★★★★½ review by Anthony Le on Letterboxd

  Part of A Film A Day
  
  Part of Essential Films To Watch

  "Your brain lights up with sugar just like it does with cocaine or heroine; you're going to become an addict"

  After months of anticipation, wondering whether or not the real quality of this film, I finally got a chance myself to attend an advance screening. There was a goal - an expectation I had going into this film. My expectation was that when I walked out, I would be Fed Up. And was I? I was really fucking Fed Up.

  Fed Up is a film with a strong central standpoint that it almost forces upon the audience. So, the quality of this film really depends on how you define a documentary, and what the intended purpose of the genre is. For me, it depends on the film. And it's hard not to love what Fed Up does. It doesn't hold back on its criticisms for the food industry. It reveals the secrets that politicians refuse to acknowledge. And the way I see it, it's definitely not a limitation that the film is biased. A bias on a subject only makes the film more interesting. Instead of just flat out stating the facts, Fed Up moreso intends to persuade viewers, and not for a second does it pretend otherwise.

  "Junk food companies are acting very much like tobacco companies were acting 30 years ago."

  The film explores many topics, ranging from production of cheese to the excess sugar intake in American children. It does all this in 92 minutes masterfully. It balances a slurry of ideas and presents them in a fashion in which all of them will stick with you long after you view the film. And this, in a way, is done by the narration by Katie Couric. Never for a second does it pause to think 'hey, maybe we should give the audience a second to reflect, and absorb.' Line after line, it radiates its message in a blatant, unrestrained fashion. And after hearing nutritionist, scientists, researchers and even politicians (notably former US President, Bill Clinton), you definitely feel Fed Up. But the most powerful part of this film, perhaps, is hearing the interviews they do with children. It's impossible not to feel sympathy, and it reveals that there's not always a happy ending for obesity, even in children. The film even went as far as including a list of individuals and corporations that refused to be interviewed.

  "The message has been pushed on us, it's your fault you're fat."

  It's evident why this film was made: to attack, and demonize big food companies and transnational corporations such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds etc. It reveals how much power these corporations have, even when it comes to government policy. Fed Up goes down a dangerous path and it does it masterfully well. It does this in an entertaining way, incorporating both children, politicians and scientists all into one film in order to get a diverse variety of viewpoints. Fed Up is a persuasive documentary done right - it's unbarred, unrelenting and definitely memorable for most individuals after they see it.

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  ★★★★ review by Rod Sedgwick on Letterboxd

  Whilst there was nothing all that new here for me due to my wife instilling the 'sugar and chemically processed food is poison' philosophy onto my family's diet for quite some time now, this was nonetheless a compelling and finely crafted exposé on the food industry that should be quite frankly, seen by every single household across the globe. Even if you are the cynical type and don't believe some of the information offered up here, some deeper research beyond the realm of the film may just enlighten you further and help you to start a food revolution in your own home.

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  ★★★★★ review by Jessie on Letterboxd

  A really well done documentary facing the issues of obesity and weight gain head on, never holding back. It's very scary stuff, but I never knew any of this stuff as a kid, nor did I even think about eating healthy until fairly recently. The dangers of processed foods and soda are very very real, yet I had no idea just how much until I took a college nutrition class. Now this is the kind of thing that should be taught from an early age, for our own good. Ending on a hopeful note, but still we as a country still have a very long way to go. I'd say it's done its job very well, as I can't see myself drinking another soda in the near future.

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  ★★★★ review by Stephen Ferraioli on Letterboxd

  Basically a cross between "The House I Live In" and "Food, Inc.", except that it is much more broad, which in this case is not necessarily a bad thing. Even if you don't need a documentary to tell you that sugar makes you unhealthy, this film goes far beyond that simple fact.

  Also another batch of evidence showing that America needs political campaign finance reform badly.

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  ★★★★ review by Cinema_Reviewer on Letterboxd

  Saw this the other day in health class

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