Diet Documentary 'Forks Over Knives' Advocates Virtues of Vegetarianism

Why is that most Americans are overweight nowadays? And why are we sicker and spending more on healthcare than ever before? It's all in the diet, according to Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, medical pioneers who have staked their careers studying the skyrocketing increase in the so-called "Diseases of Affluence."

These iconoclastic physicians find themselves at odds with the bulk of their colleagues because they believe that most of the degenerative diseases afflicting humanity are a consequence of our eating animals and processed foods. This is the proposition which they set about proving in Forks over Knives, a documentary indicting agribusiness for the aforementioned sorry state of affairs.

Directed by Lee Fulkerson, this incendiary expose' shows how corporations have successfully exploited our biological urges for generations, often with the help of government-sponsored propaganda. For example, the film features clips from an old newsreel where it is suggested that cow's milk is better for a baby than mother's milk.

Similar approaches have been employed to dupe the populace into believing in everything from having eggs and bacon for breakfast daily to the notion that meat is the only way to get enough protein. Fundamental to such mind control is the ensnaring of consumers in "The Pleasure Trap" whereby advertisers cleverly leverage the natural instinct for food and sex.

Fortunately, reversing the trend simply involves reeducation and opting to step off the self-destructive treadmill which has most of us on a diet dominated by meats, salt, fat, sugar and refined foods of little nutritional value. Judging by the glowing testimonials of Dr. Campell's and Dr. Esselstyn's patients here, apparently all it takes is merely adopting a whole foods, plant-based regimen not only to see the pounds come off but to end one's dependency on pills for blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes and many other medical maladies.

Back to nature and rejuvenation just by refusing to be brainwashed by Madison Avenue any longer!  

Excellent(4 stars)

Rated PG for smoking and mature themes.

Running time: 96 Minutes

Distributor: Monica Beach Media

To see a trailer for Forks over Knives, visit The Skanner's YouTube Channel