Since seeing the release of the trailer for director Marti Noxon's film for Netflix, To the Bone, which centers around a 20-year-old young woman who has struggled with anorexia nervosa for multiple years of her life, I've contemplated on whether or not to comment on the trailer and the nature of this film.
I first found out that the film To the Bone was made a year ago around April when I, myself, was writing a screenplay for a film dealing with eating disorders, and was exceptionally excited about the film due to the topic it discussed (eating disorders) and that it was finally getting the exploration and attention it deserves. What gave me even more certainty to have high hopes for this film was that this cinematic production involved a talented cast, with film director Marti Noxon as the head and also writer of the film, and Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves in starring roles for this film. So keeping that information in mind, I was excited for the film and that excitement continued onward to this year.
On June 20th of this year, the official trailer for the film came out, and I was looking forward to get a glimpse at what the film had to hold, and for the most part I wasn't disappointed. The film's trailer gave a feel into the life of Ellen (portrayed by Collins), including her relationship with food and how it affects her health and family life. Ultimately due to the way Ellen's eating disorder affects her health and her life, she goes to a group home for youth, where her group home friends and a doctor (portrayed by Reeves) try to help her find self-acceptance and the ability to combat against the destructive voice of her eating disorder. So for the majority of the trailer and the feel that it carried, I was extremely satisfied and I have already marked my calendar for July 14th when the film's released on Netflix.
The only thing I'd like to note that caused me a little bit of conflict and dissatisfaction with the film's trailer was the opening scene of the trailer. This scene, the opening scene, shows Ellen telling her sister her guess for exactly how many calories are in her food as a form of guessing game, which Ellen gets right and leads her sister telling Ellen "it's like you've calorie Asperger's."
Although I'm sure this scene was developed the way it was not only to show how teens (and younger and older people too) sometimes treat serious issues as jokes but also as part to be more relatable to audiences through bits of humor, it didn't sit entirely well with me. While I wasn't personally offended or triggered, I feel that most people who aren't well-informed about eating disorders (which sadly is a great majority) will find this scene and the calorie counting to be more more funny than serious as it should be (the scene involves a young girl who is obsessed with calorie counting - this is serious). So in that sense, I feel that in sometimes incorporating bits of humor (and the way and when those bits of humor are incorporated) can result in distracting some people from the severity of the issue being discussed. Although I write comedy (well, attempt to), and enjoy comedy very much and understand comedy sometimes serves as a tool to discuss things and alleviate tension, in this particular scene, especially considering this is the opening scene of the trailer and the first thing audiences get to see, I didn't found the comedic bit well incorporated. Again, I'd like to clarify that my opinion isn't concrete since I've only seen the trailer and haven't actually watched the film and how it truly develops for which it's ignorant to assume, but this is just commentary on what I was able to see from the trailer and the way it was delivered. I personally would have preferred for the humorous bit not to be the opening and first impression of this serious film, and for the humorous bits to have happened when Ellen had recovered, not when she is still struggling, but that is my personal opinion nor is it meant as criticism of Noxon's genuine portrayal.
Which brings me to a question that's been surrounding this film since the release of its trailer on June 20th: does the film romanticize and glamorize eating disorders?
And my answer, based on thinking objectively a lot about it...I don't think so.
I don't want to give an affirmative "yes" or "no" answer since I haven't seen the film and it's ignorant to judge a film solely based on it's trailer, but I honestly don't think it will. For starters, the film's director and writer, Marti Noxon, herself struggled with an eating disorder, and Noxon utilizing her own voice and experiences with this horrible illness gives a lot of credibility and genuineness that I really look forward in truly good films and not just commercially manufactured films with no real deep meaning and purpose. The film's protagonist, actress Lily Collins, also struggled with anorexia nervosa like her character Ellen when she was younger, so her portrayal will likely make it more meaningful and genuine, which, again is what I'm looking for in good films.
Another thing to consider, though is not defining of how we each uniquely experience films as audience members, is that the film has received critical appraisal, such as currently holding 82% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, a site which gathers reviews from respected film critics. But audience goers who got to see the film at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22nd of this year also thought similarly, as the film currently has a 90% approval by Google users. The film receiving critical appraisal shows that, according to the reviews of film critics and viewers, the film actually has material and is good in quality, something that they likely wouldn't find if the film romanticized and glamorized eating disorders.
Lastly, the cast of the film cared greatly about the issues that eating disorders bring that they took part in talking about eating disorders and raising awareness about them during the first-ever World Eating Disorders Action Day that took place June 2nd of last year. Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves, along with other actors from the film and director Noxon, took part in a public service announcement called "Nine Truths About Eating Disorders", in which each actor and the film's director read a different truth about eating disorders.
In doing this, the cast shed light to actual truths about eating disorders but also showed understanding and concern about eating disorders, as they shared the PSA video on their social media accounts and in turn received support and praise from various eating disorder support organizations. The cast talking about eating disorders goes to show that the film and its cast intend to bring genuine awareness about eating disorders and that the production isn't merely another commercial production with no real research or concern about the subject at matter, in this case being eating disorders.
So, with that said, I genuinely don't think the film will romanticize and glamorize eating disorders, as the film's director and cast themselves show concern about eating disorders and needing to talk and raise awareness about them, but another question remains: will it trigger people, especially those currently suffering or recovering from an eating disorder and/or related issues? The answer is, it can.
It didn't take long after the release of the trailer for the film to receive mixed reactions, from various people praising the film for discussing a topic that doesn't get enough discussion as it should, to others finding the trailer triggering and some reacting the opposite and viewing Lily Collins' extremely thin image as a source of "thinspiration." So, considering those reactions in mind, I do think the film can be triggering for some people, and if that is your case, meaning: if you have an eating disorder or any other issue and feel that watching the film might be triggering for you, please don't watch it. Do what's best for you.
So that's my conclusion of the film To the Bone as of the time being...after actually watching the film I should have a more concrete understanding and opinion about the film and the direction in which it develops. But for the time being I am really hopeful about it, and looking forward to watching it on July 14th of this year - you are welcome for the promo, Netflix.
What about you...what is your opinion? Would love to hear what you think!
I first found out that the film To the Bone was made a year ago around April when I, myself, was writing a screenplay for a film dealing with eating disorders, and was exceptionally excited about the film due to the topic it discussed (eating disorders) and that it was finally getting the exploration and attention it deserves. What gave me even more certainty to have high hopes for this film was that this cinematic production involved a talented cast, with film director Marti Noxon as the head and also writer of the film, and Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves in starring roles for this film. So keeping that information in mind, I was excited for the film and that excitement continued onward to this year.
On June 20th of this year, the official trailer for the film came out, and I was looking forward to get a glimpse at what the film had to hold, and for the most part I wasn't disappointed. The film's trailer gave a feel into the life of Ellen (portrayed by Collins), including her relationship with food and how it affects her health and family life. Ultimately due to the way Ellen's eating disorder affects her health and her life, she goes to a group home for youth, where her group home friends and a doctor (portrayed by Reeves) try to help her find self-acceptance and the ability to combat against the destructive voice of her eating disorder. So for the majority of the trailer and the feel that it carried, I was extremely satisfied and I have already marked my calendar for July 14th when the film's released on Netflix.
The only thing I'd like to note that caused me a little bit of conflict and dissatisfaction with the film's trailer was the opening scene of the trailer. This scene, the opening scene, shows Ellen telling her sister her guess for exactly how many calories are in her food as a form of guessing game, which Ellen gets right and leads her sister telling Ellen "it's like you've calorie Asperger's."
Although I'm sure this scene was developed the way it was not only to show how teens (and younger and older people too) sometimes treat serious issues as jokes but also as part to be more relatable to audiences through bits of humor, it didn't sit entirely well with me. While I wasn't personally offended or triggered, I feel that most people who aren't well-informed about eating disorders (which sadly is a great majority) will find this scene and the calorie counting to be more more funny than serious as it should be (the scene involves a young girl who is obsessed with calorie counting - this is serious). So in that sense, I feel that in sometimes incorporating bits of humor (and the way and when those bits of humor are incorporated) can result in distracting some people from the severity of the issue being discussed. Although I write comedy (well, attempt to), and enjoy comedy very much and understand comedy sometimes serves as a tool to discuss things and alleviate tension, in this particular scene, especially considering this is the opening scene of the trailer and the first thing audiences get to see, I didn't found the comedic bit well incorporated. Again, I'd like to clarify that my opinion isn't concrete since I've only seen the trailer and haven't actually watched the film and how it truly develops for which it's ignorant to assume, but this is just commentary on what I was able to see from the trailer and the way it was delivered. I personally would have preferred for the humorous bit not to be the opening and first impression of this serious film, and for the humorous bits to have happened when Ellen had recovered, not when she is still struggling, but that is my personal opinion nor is it meant as criticism of Noxon's genuine portrayal.
Which brings me to a question that's been surrounding this film since the release of its trailer on June 20th: does the film romanticize and glamorize eating disorders?
And my answer, based on thinking objectively a lot about it...I don't think so.
I don't want to give an affirmative "yes" or "no" answer since I haven't seen the film and it's ignorant to judge a film solely based on it's trailer, but I honestly don't think it will. For starters, the film's director and writer, Marti Noxon, herself struggled with an eating disorder, and Noxon utilizing her own voice and experiences with this horrible illness gives a lot of credibility and genuineness that I really look forward in truly good films and not just commercially manufactured films with no real deep meaning and purpose. The film's protagonist, actress Lily Collins, also struggled with anorexia nervosa like her character Ellen when she was younger, so her portrayal will likely make it more meaningful and genuine, which, again is what I'm looking for in good films.
Another thing to consider, though is not defining of how we each uniquely experience films as audience members, is that the film has received critical appraisal, such as currently holding 82% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, a site which gathers reviews from respected film critics. But audience goers who got to see the film at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22nd of this year also thought similarly, as the film currently has a 90% approval by Google users. The film receiving critical appraisal shows that, according to the reviews of film critics and viewers, the film actually has material and is good in quality, something that they likely wouldn't find if the film romanticized and glamorized eating disorders.
Lastly, the cast of the film cared greatly about the issues that eating disorders bring that they took part in talking about eating disorders and raising awareness about them during the first-ever World Eating Disorders Action Day that took place June 2nd of last year. Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves, along with other actors from the film and director Noxon, took part in a public service announcement called "Nine Truths About Eating Disorders", in which each actor and the film's director read a different truth about eating disorders.
In doing this, the cast shed light to actual truths about eating disorders but also showed understanding and concern about eating disorders, as they shared the PSA video on their social media accounts and in turn received support and praise from various eating disorder support organizations. The cast talking about eating disorders goes to show that the film and its cast intend to bring genuine awareness about eating disorders and that the production isn't merely another commercial production with no real research or concern about the subject at matter, in this case being eating disorders.
So, with that said, I genuinely don't think the film will romanticize and glamorize eating disorders, as the film's director and cast themselves show concern about eating disorders and needing to talk and raise awareness about them, but another question remains: will it trigger people, especially those currently suffering or recovering from an eating disorder and/or related issues? The answer is, it can.
It didn't take long after the release of the trailer for the film to receive mixed reactions, from various people praising the film for discussing a topic that doesn't get enough discussion as it should, to others finding the trailer triggering and some reacting the opposite and viewing Lily Collins' extremely thin image as a source of "thinspiration." So, considering those reactions in mind, I do think the film can be triggering for some people, and if that is your case, meaning: if you have an eating disorder or any other issue and feel that watching the film might be triggering for you, please don't watch it. Do what's best for you.
If you find yourself needing help, resources, or simply someone to talk to
please visit the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) at:
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
Or call their free helpline at: 1-800-931-2237
(Available Monday-Thursday from 9 AM-9 PM EST and Friday 9 AM-5 PM EST)
So that's my conclusion of the film To the Bone as of the time being...after actually watching the film I should have a more concrete understanding and opinion about the film and the direction in which it develops. But for the time being I am really hopeful about it, and looking forward to watching it on July 14th of this year - you are welcome for the promo, Netflix.
What about you...what is your opinion? Would love to hear what you think!
Sincerely, Dora Goto
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