Self-made movie director Richard Linklater is back, directing this social commentary on both immigration and fast food. The stories, like other Linklater films, are depressive, noir-esque tales that intercalate with one another, ultimately proving that there is no escape from our fate. Prepare to be depressed, and mildly grossed out.

Fast Food Nation follows the paths of Don Anderson (Greg Kinnear), VP of Mickey's, a giant fast food chain, and Raul (Wilmer Valderrama), an illegal immigrant smuggled into America to join the work force. Anderson’s quest for the meat quality of their southern meatpacking plant leads him to the same plant where Raul, and others in the same fate, are being utilized. But both encounter hardships in and around the plant.

Subplots abound, as a storyline deals with Amber (Ashley Johnson), restaurant cashier, and her passion to leave her stagnant home; Coco (Ana Claudia Talancon), being swept up in the drug scene and its downfall; and Sylvia (Catalina Sandino Moreno), holding her life and her family’s life together after her husband is injured on the job.

The movie itself is a thinly disguised commentary on the direction of America and its food industry. At no time does it encourage the viewer to decide which side they are on, but presents the hardships of those involved from an outsider’s view. Personally, I had to shut the movie off one hour in.

If you can hang with it longer than I did, you might find out how it all ends. But after Linklater warps time and makes ten minutes pass by like ten hours do, the feelings of depression and hopelessness overtake the viewer.

My advice: Don’t rent this movie if you’re feeling good about the future of your country.

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