I saw Supersize Me about a year ago for the first time and naturally, I was disgusted by what happed to Morgan Spurlock over the course of his experiment. However, I am still a fast food lover, I admit it. I like to cook at home, but I also enjoy eating out and just as the movie points out, McDonalds is pretty darn convenient.

As a teacher, I do not feel that I would show this movie in my classroom. I do feel that it brings up some interesting facts about America’s obesity problem and the lengths corporations will go to when advertising their product. Yet, in my opinion pointing out flaws in such a large percentage of the population is walking a fine line between critical pedagogy and singling out students. The truth is the truth and America as a nation is obese, but that does not mean that I have to critique that issue in my classroom. I would hate to think that students would use other students as examples or even proof of obesity, but I feel almost sure that it would happen. Secondly, if we want to teach students to look critically at media then they see good examples of thought out research. In no way is Supersize Me conclusive in its research, enlightening though it may be. As McDonald’s director of Worldwide Nutrition, Dr. Cathy Kapica said after seeing the film,

“As a registered nutritionist, I was extremely disappointed when I saw this movie. Here was an opportunity to actually provide insights into a serious problem. In fact, all it turned out to be was an extreme stunt where someone engaged in irresponsible behavior of eating twice as much as they should every day, limiting physical activity. It was a complete disservice to anyone looking for factual information or real solutions.”

So, in this case, if I were to show parts of Supersize Me in my classroom, I would focus on the advertising and targeting of young minds. I would want them to take a close look at what the media is pumping into their heads. I could allow them to analyze the flaws in Supersize Me, but I don’t really feel that critiquing Morgan Spurlock would give my students enlightenment when it comes to looking at life with a critical eye. For instance, many bloggers and writers are comparing Spurlock’s finger pointing at corporate advertising to Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine, another equally controversial documentary. In a critique of the movie on his blog, Omar Odeh says:

“Aspects of Super Size Me feel derivative, inviting direct comparison to Michael Moore. An animation sequence showing the grotesque history of a Chicken McNugget awkwardly imitates the “History of the United States of America” section in Bowling for Columbine. Spurlock’s performance feels modeled on the genial, occasionally grating mix of good-natured populism, reckless impertinence, and self-congratulation that Moore has perfected”.

Ok, so Spurlock seems like a copy-cat in some places, but that realization does nothing to make me change my viewing habits or eating habits, it only allows me to critique Spurlock more. I want my students to think about what they watch, read, and hear. This movie would be a good assest to doing that if used sparingly in the classroom. Advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry in America and it would be far more useful to me to have my students think about something deep: the effects of advertising instead of critiquing their weight, other’s weight, or Spurlock’s inaccuracy in his production.

Link to Article 1

Link to Article 2