"The Big Store" (1973): A Microcosm of Corporate Greed?

Okay, so I finally tracked down a copy of "The Big Store" (1973), the one that's supposedly a dark comedy about a local grocery store fighting a corporate supermarket. I kinda went in expecting something like a goofier version of "Bottle Rocket" or "Office Space," but it's actually got a surprisingly sharp edge. We don't know who the actual director is, which is a shame. Knowing the director (if possible) would help give context for the intention of the film. My theory is, the film isn't *just* about small business vs. big business. It's a pretty cynical commentary on how corporate greed slowly suffocates everything. The four guys at the grocery store start out just wanting to survive, but their schemes get increasingly desperate and, honestly, kind of ugly. The scene with the 'contaminated food' felt a little intense for what I was hoping for. I think the film uses the supermarket as a symbol for how the new 'big store' takes over everything. What I found surprising is the ambiguity it leaves you with. By the end, you don't feel like you're supposed to be rooting for *anyone*. Everyone's compromised in some way. The 'little guys' lose their initial charm, and the supermarket feels like an inevitability. I do wish the film was...tighter. There are definitely some pacing issues and the humor is spotty (I didn't really get the 'exploding ketchup' bit). But overall, it's a surprisingly thought-provoking watch. I need to let the movie sit with me for a moment, as there are certain elements that I found disturbing. Perhaps it was intended to be a film that is not 'easy' to watch. It definitely leaves you thinking about the ethics of competition and the cost of survival in a capitalist system. Anyone else seen it? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Am I overthinking it? Maybe it's just a silly 70s movie, but I doubt it!