The Botany of Desire (2009)

Introduction & Overview
"The Botany of Desire" is a two-hour documentary from 2009, based on the very popular book by Michael Pollan. Directed by Michael Schwarz and Edward Gray, the film takes a look at the relationship between humans and four types of domesticated plants: apples, tulips, cannabis, and potatoes. Using these four plants, the story is developed around the theory that plants have actually been as much a representative in their advancement as human beings.

Apples & Desire for Sweetness
The film begins with apples, signifying the human desire for sweetness. Pollan explores the story of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) who played a considerable role in spreading out apple trees throughout America. Contrary to popular belief, these apples weren't grown for consuming however for making difficult cider. The documentary asserts that apples demonstrates how plants evolved to satisfy our yearnings.

Tulips & Desire for Beauty
The 2nd sector revolves around tulips, which embody the desire for appeal. The early seventeenth-century tulip trend in the Netherlands functions as the example. The tulip became so desirable that its bulbs when had a greater value than a lot of houses. The movie goes over how tulips developed special, gorgeous patterns due to a virus-- a flaw that made them considerably more appealing and valuable.

Cannabis & Desire for Intoxication
Focusing on marijuana, the movie dives into the human desire for intoxication. It clarifies how Cannabis has ingeniously capitalized on this desire, spreading out from its native environment in Central Asia to all corners of the world. No matter the legal restrictions, cannabis has turned into one of the most extensively used and questionable plants on the world.

Potatoes & Desire for Control
The final segment is devoted to potatoes, symbolizing the desire for control. Pollan discusses the introduction of genetically customized NewLeaf potato by Monsanto. The film highlights the need for pest-resistant crops due to increasing food demand and the implications of genetic modification.

Conclusion
The documentary concludes by emphasizing that comprehending our desires and their influence on the botany of the world eventually highlights our intimate relationship with nature. The underlying message is that humans are not the only manipulators in this relationship; plants also manipulate us into helping them make it through and multiply. It raises concerns on the traditional belief of human supremacy over nature by demonstrating how these plants have utilized humans for their evolution and survival.

Reception
"The Botany of Desire" got prevalent crucial praise for its in-depth exploration of human desires as seen from the plant's point of view and for tough standard belief of human's supremacy over nature. Audiences praised it for using a fresh, informing point of view on a seemingly easy topic. It didn't simply captivate but also triggered discussion about mankind's relationship with nature.

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