Synopsis
Consumed is a 2015 US political thriller that intertwines personal conflict with social critique revolving arguably one of the most controversial issues in modern food technology: genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. It was produced in 2015 and directed by Daryl Wein, beside writing the film he also co-wrote with Zoe Lister-Jones who features in the film. The narrative gradually unfolds in a captivating, emotionally resonant way while addressing fundamental concerns of food safety, corporate malpractice, and scientific fraud.
The film’s protagonist is Sophie Kessler, a single mother struggling to make ends meet in a small Midwestern town. She juggles her exhausting job as a waitress with taking care of her young son, Garrett, and her elderly mother, Kristin, who is a diabetic. The symptoms Spielberg imagines such as vomiting, rashes, and drowsiness manifest to the child named Garrett from Sophie’s imagination. As the child’s symptoms derange, Sophie’s worst fears of being told by doctors something sinister comes closer to reality.
Her food-related concerns focus on the diet her family follows, specifically the processed and the genetically modified options. In Sophie’s case, this personal crisis propels her to “go on a crusade” about the food supply system and become obsessed with it. Seeking solutions pushes her into the highly contentious realm of GMOs – genetically modified foods – and she begins to uncover disturbing links between a powerful biotech company’s crops and her friend’s health problems.
Sophie’s story has parallels to that of research scientist Dr. Serge Negani, who for far too long has privately collected the harmful impacts of GMOs on animals. He faces significant pressure from corporate sponsors to retract his work just as he’s preparing to submit it. The film depicts the ethical struggle Serge faces – and the accompanying institutional roadblocks that make independent research incredibly difficult to disseminate to the public.
Another subplot revolves around Dan Conway, who used to work for a biotech firm. He is shocked by the immoral practices the industry uses and grows increasingly disillusioned over time. Caught in the middle of the two conflicting allegiances of loyalty and truth, Dan decides to become a reluctant whistleblower, much to Sophie’s aid.
These dynamics come together as abstraction in the form of Sophie’s deepening investigation comes across threats, disinformation, and a level of bureaucratic apathy that protects huge corporations from repercussions. The film culminates in a high-stakes showdown of parental instincts versus corporate greed and scientific exploration.
Cast and Crew
Zoe Lister-Jones as Sophie Kessler: She is a mother and waitress turned into an amateur detective due to her son’s puzzling illness.
Victor Garber as Dan Conway: A biotech executive experiencing a major ethical dilemma.
Beth Grant as Kristin Kessler: Sophie’s mother, who suffers from diabetes, and is a primary source of emotional support for those around her.
Taylor Kinney as Eddie Taylor: Sophie’s associate who works as a farmer in the area.
Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Serge Negani: A young researcher faced with challenging ethical dilemmas.
Anthony Edwards as Jacob Leifman: A scientist who is Serge’s former mentor. He plays the dual role of friend and cynic.
Griffin Dunne as Peter Landell: He is a dubious political lobbyist.
Danny Glover as Hal Westbrook: He is a veteran food safety activist.
Nick Bonn as Garrett Kessler: Sophie’s ailing son whose illness is the heart of the film.
Daryl Wein
Directed.
Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones
Written by.
Alex Bergman
Cinematography by.
Nima Fakhrara
Music by.
Zach Anderson
Editing by.
MarVista Entertainment,
Production Company.
English
Language.
United States,
Country of Origin.
Runtime: 97 minutes
Themes and Analysis
Consumed has two intertwining narratives, one personal and one political. The film is particularly effective in intertwining a family’s desperate yearning for closure with the critique of the food industry.
- The Personal as Political
A mother’s love forms the centerpiece of the film. Sophies motivation is straightforward: safeguard her child. However, her journey leads her to a world filled with regulatory red tape, murky science, and powerful corporate interests. The film does an impressive job of capturing her emotional weakness to engage viewers in what could otherwise be dry and technical subject matter.
- Corporate Power vs. Public Health
The film does not portray biotech companies as cartoon villains, rather as soulless bureaucratic organizations more concerned with maintaining reputation and profits over public good. Consumed posits that systemic secrecy and lack of accountability isn’t only a hypothetical problem but a tangible danger for families like Sophie’s.
- Scientific Ethics and Whistleblowing
People like Serge and Dan embody the ethical dilemmas of those operating in the confines of a company or academia. The film confronts us with the possibility of publishing controversial data and the implications it carries in the form of careers—and lives.
- Food Transparency
The film spotlights issues around labeling, specifically the lack of attention given to whether food products contain GMOs. It explores the question on the consumer’s right to know, paying attention to real-consumer debates in legislation.
Critical Reception
Consumed stirred a multifaceted response and reviews throughout the cinemas and popular media. It received mixed reviews but had striking reactions. Its fiction built around real-world issues was received with divided praise: Zoe Lister-Jones emerged, earning accolades for embodying grounded, passionate energy as Sophie. The role Sophie played was supposed to showcase depth alongside intense emotion—and not cross the melodramatic border.
Still, critics did not criticize her alone, applauding the whole ensemble cast, which included industry heavyweights Danny Glover and Victor Garber. Voicing their opinions on the film, they claimed the cinematography and toned-down score created immense near-silent urgency that elevated the film’s investigative tone.
Consumed did receive criticism, as some audiences believed the film didn’t do a complete job. Some felt it was overly moralizing and oversimplified the science in narrative form for the sake of dramatization. Others argued it leaned too much toward fear without crafting a more balanced examination of GMOs and the companies that produce them.
The film garnered political skepticism and heated conversations which were the intended reactions and widely believed goals from the film. Most believed the film was successful in stimulating these discussions: a pre-requisite of any politically passionate independent film.
Conclusion
Consumed doesn’t fall under the classical conventions of a political thriller. It combines a delicate family issue with a larger societal investigation context to frame difficult scientific and ethical problems in an easy-to-understand narrative. It might not please all opinions on the GMO debate, but does raise concerns on issues of food security, consumer sovereignty, and corporate accountability.
This film is meant to alert viewers into thinking about the origins of their food and what information is available to them, and who controls that information. Regardless if one accepts the premise or not, Consumed surely invites discourse, and that is an important gift for the public in this era of concern about the food we consume.
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