“Brittany Runs a Marathon”, 2019
Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo
This comedy-drama follows the life of Brittany, an overweight New Yorker who takes up running as a way to take control of her life and health. As she trains for the New York City Marathon, Brittany confronts her personal issues, including her self-esteem and relationships, transforming her body and mind in the process.
Starring: Jillian Bell, Jennifer Dundas, Patch Darragh, Alice Lee, Erica Hernandez, Max Pava, Michaela Watkins, Adam Sietz, Dan Bittner, Mikey Day;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Brittany Runs a Marathon” on the website imdb.com
“Dumplin'”, 2018
Director: Anne Fletcher
A Netflix original film based on the novel by Julie Murphy, “Dumplin'” features the daughter of a former beauty queen who signs up for her mom's pageant as a protest. Her action escalates when other contestants who don't fit the traditional pageant mold follow her lead, challenging the status quo and preconceived notions about beauty and worth.
Starring: Danielle Macdonald, Odeya Rush, Jennifer Aniston, Maddie Baillio, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Luke Benward, Georgie Flores, Dove Cameron, Harold Perrineau, Kathy Najimy;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: comedy, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
“Heavyweights”, 1995
Director: Steven Brill
A comedy set in a weight loss camp for boys, “Heavyweights” showcases the adventures and misadventures of the campers as they deal with a new, highly competitive camp owner who wants to turn their beloved camp into an infomercial weight loss scheme. Despite its comedic tone, the film touches on issues of self-esteem and the importance of kindness and acceptance.
Starring: Aaron Schwartz, Ben Stiller, Allen Covert, Tim Blake Nelson, Tom McGowan, Shaun Weiss, Paul Feig, Jeffrey Tambor, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, comedy, family, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Heavyweights” on the website imdb.com
“To Be Fat Like Me”, 2007
Director: Douglas Barr
A made-for-TV movie starring Kaley Cuoco, this film explores the life of a popular, athletic teenager who goes undercover wearing a fat suit to document the treatment and attitudes towards obese individuals for a school project. It's an examination of societal perceptions, discrimination, and the struggle for acceptance faced by those who are overweight.
Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Halstrom, Michael Phenicie, Rachel Cairns, Adrienne Carter, Carlo Marks, Brandon Olds, Scott Little, Caroline Rhea, Ben Cotton;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,6;
More information about the film “To Be Fat Like Me” on the website imdb.com
“Shallow Hal”, 2001
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Directed by the Farrelly brothers and starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black, this romantic comedy delves into the theme of inner beauty. After being hypnotized to only see people's inner beauty, Hal falls in love with Rosemary, a largely overweight woman he perceives as slender and conventionally attractive, challenging the audience to confront their own perceptions of beauty and worth.
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jack Black, Jason Alexander, Joe Viterelli, Rene Kirby, Bruce McGill, Anthony Robbins, Susan Ward, Zen Gesner, Brooke Burns;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: fantasy, drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “Shallow Hal” on the website imdb.com
These films, while varying greatly in tone and approach, all share a focus on the experience of losing weight and the broader implications it has on the characters' lives and self-perception.
In conclusion, films centered on the theme of losing weight traverse a wide emotional and narrative spectrum, from the inspiring journeys of personal transformation in documentaries to the heartfelt comedy and drama in fictional storytelling. These films not only entertain but also provoke thought, offering a mirror to society's obsession with appearance, the pressures of conformivity, and the personal battles individuals face in achieving self-acceptance and health. Whether through the lens of humor, tragedy, or triumph, they underscore the universal struggle with body image and the complex relationship between physical health and emotional well-being. Anchored by compelling performances and poignant storytelling, weight loss films serve as powerful reminders of resilience, the importance of supportive communities, and the indefatigable human spirit's capacity to prevail over personal challenges.
