A detailed scene analysis of Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me

1. Super Size Me Scene Analysis
Critical Quote - “Filmmakers are not creating true documentaries but partisan propaganda.” -
Amber Day
The 1st Phone Call - 1:23:51
● Spurlock attempts to phone Jim Cantalupo, the CEO
of McDonald’s
● On his 1st and 3rd attempt he is put through to the
media line and denied interaction with Cantalupo
● A hand-held camera is used to show his progressive
frustration with the phone lines
● On his 3rd attempt the camera slowly zooms into his
face as he is once again denied an interview
● Interestingly Spurlock’s response to the phone calls
is not filmed, cutting away once the phone operator
has finished speaking - similar to the bank scene in
Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine when he
asks “Do you think it’s a little dangerous handing out
guns in a bank?”
● The audience could be positioned to view the
company in a specific light, befitting of Spurlock’s
argument. Not allowing a true reflection of the events.
● Cuts to a family standing outside of the white house,
where they are unable to pledge their allegiance to
the Flag – Yet they can pledge their allegiance to
McDonalds
● Non-diegetic music “I hope you got fat!”
● Spurlock can be heard behind the camera suggesting
the performative nature of this documentary -
additionally the family seems to have a range of age
groups ranging from an elderly woman to a young
child. Spurlock might have selected this specific
family to evoke an emotional response from
audiences as it shows the inescapable nature of
McDonald’s
● Fades to a line of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys in
front of the White House - this could be mocking the
family or America in general as the fast food chains dominates their lives as referenced
in the exposition of the film