Stink!

Stink! is a cautiously compelling documentary film that emerged in 2015, featuring notable individuals such as Arlene Blum, Jack Corley, and Richard Denison. Directed by the talented Jon J. Whelan, this film aims to shed light on a little-known aspect of our modern consumer society, confronting audiences with the unseen dangers lurking within everyday products and the lack of transparency surrounding them. Drawing attention to the powerful chemical industry and its control over what goes into the consumer products, Stink! forces us to question what we truly know about the items we surround ourselves with on a daily basis.

The premise of Stink! is fairly personal for director Jon Whelan. It was born out of a simple quest that started during a Christmas shopping spree for his two daughters. He bought pajamas for them from a leading brand, but upon unwrapping them, a strong chemical smell was apparent. Concerned about his children's exposure to potentially harmful substances, he contacted the retailer to inquire. The absence of an adequate response stoked his curiosity further leading him down a rabbit hole of hidden truths, secrecy, and legal loopholes that protect such secrets within the American consumer product industry.

Whelan takes on the persona of the everyman, just a concerned father, not a scientist or policy expert, seeking answers. The film tracks his investigative journey into the heart of unregulated chemical use and undisclosed product ingredients in everything from clothing to beauty products. Featured speakers like Arlene Blum, a biophysical chemist and campaigner for product safety, lend their expert perspective to unfold the gravity of the situation.

The inclusion of Jack Corley injects extra dynamism into the narrative. As a salesperson for the fragrance industry, his personal stories create a stark contrast between corporate profit motive and public safety, underscoring pervasive industry secrecy. The insight from Richard Denison, a noted environmental activist, gives the film extra weight, emphasizing the urgent need for policies related to the disclosure of product ingredients.

Stink! weaves together a combination of intimate interviews, on-the-spot reporting, facts-to-screen style storytelling, archival footage, and graphics to create an engaging and unsettling viewing experience. Whelan’s approach is free of the preaching style found in some social-issue documentaries, adopting instead a straightforward and conversational manner that allows audiences to form their own conclusions.

The cinematography is aesthetically pleasing and the disparate visuals help in maintaining the flow of the narrative. Through the director’s journey, we get an intimate look at the personalities and motivations of those who are entangled within this world of secrecy. This provides the audience with an empathetic connection to the individuals within the story while also making the situation more relatable.

The film has been recognized for its effective storytelling and its aptitude at stirring dialogue about chemicals in consumer products and the accompanying governmental policies. Stink! is not just an ordinary documentary but an urgent call for change that strikes a raw nerve and underlines the gravity of the situation.

Stink! serves as a wake-up call for the audience, prompting them to question the necessity and safety of thousands of chemicals used in everyday products. It is a documentary with a mission to uncover the truth hidden in plain sight and to prompt change toward full transparency enabling the consumers to make informed choices.

In conclusion, “Stink!” is a potent social-documentary that tackles a pressing issue in a forthright and thoughtful manner. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in public health and safety, consumer rights, environmental sustainability, and the political dynamics surrounding the global chemical industry. This film teaches us that sometimes, asking why something stinks may lead us to some inconvenient and uncomfortable truths that demand our attention and action.