CarnalNation

When not trying to entice you with its menu options, McDonald's advertising has often tried to convince you that the fast-food restaurant is an integral part of your everyday life—a happy place with happy meals for happy people. With the tagline "Come as you are" ("Venez comme vous êtes"), a new ad campaign in France makes those familiar booths the stage for touching, personal moments, tender as a Chicken McNugget. The newest TV commercial (video after the jump) from the campaign features a father and his gay son sharing a meal and a special moment. In the span of 47 seconds, we become immersed in young romance, summer vacation, nostalgia, and a dad's acceptance of his son's sexuality. More ingredients than a Big Mac perhaps, but the ad is sweet enough to savor.

The ad is, obviously, in French, but a rough translation follows. The spot opens with a cute young guy looking at his class photo in a McDonald's when his cell phone rings. "Yes, I was thinking of you," he says into the phone. "I'm looking at the class photo, and I miss you," he adds as he lovingly strokes one of the other guys in the photo. "I have to go," he says as his father approaches with their meal. Dad asks, "Is that your class photo?" The son nods and hands it over to him. "I looked just like you when I was your age," says nostalgic papa. "I did quite well with the girls." Oops. Awkward moment as the son looks away from his father. But then dad saves the moment by saying, "It's too bad there are only boys in your class...You have all the luck." Smiles and loving looks of understanding all around as a folk singer begins to croon, "I'm going on my road..." Fade to black and the new McDonald's slogan: "Come as you are." Yes, a "royale" with lots of cheese, but this is advertising where the way to your wallet is through your heart. What do you think?

[via Yagg]