Contextual details for Morgan Spurlock's fast-food documentary Super Size Me with critical quotes

1. Super Size Me Contextual Details
Budget:
$65,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend:
$516,641 (USA) (7 May 2004)
Gross:
$11,529,368 (USA) (24 September 2004)
Spurlock follows a 30 day period from February 1 to March 2, 2003 during which he ate only
McDonald’s food. The film documents this lifestyle’s drastic effect on Spurlock’s physical and
psychological well-being, and explores the fast food industry’s corporate influence, including
how it encourages poor nutrition for its own profit.
Super Size Me was nominated for ‘Best Documentary’ at the 2005 Academy Awards
In 2004 it was the 22nd highest-grossing documentary film of all time
The documentary premiered at Sundance in January, 2004. Less than two months later,
McDonald's announced that it would no longer sell any of its menu items in "Super Size"
It took Morgan Spurlock 13 months to lose the 25 pounds that he gained during the McDonald's
binge
Caroline Westbrook for BBC News stated that, overall, the film's "high comedy factor and over-
familiarity of the subject matter render it less powerful than other recent documentaries – but it
still makes for enjoyable, thought-provoking viewing.”
“There is a revisionist interpretation of the film, in which Spurlock is identified as a self-promoter
who on behalf of his film ate more than any reasonable person could consume in a month at
McDonald's.” - Roger Ebert
“This is the documentary that caused a sensation at Sundance 2004 and allegedly inspired
McDonald's to discontinue its "super size" promotions as a preemptive measure” - Roger Ebert
“Spurlock juxtaposed humor with the life-and-death issue in his film” - Bloomfield