Backdrop preview To Be Fat Like Me backdrop
To Be Fat Like Me

To Be Fat Like Me (2007)

Jan 08, 2007 1h 29m TV Movie Comedy

Pretty, popular, and slim high-schooler Aly Schimdt had plans of earning a sports scholarship to college but a knee injury ruins her chances. She decides to enter a documentary contest in the hopes of winning money for college. She believes that overweight people, like her mom and brother, seem to make excuses about how the world perceives them. So Aly decides to attend a rival high school as a heavily overweight person for the documentary, but not change her personality. Aly intends and hopes to prove that personality will outshine physical appearance. But when she's met with ridicule, harassment, and name-calling she begins to see things differently.

Directed by Douglas Barr

Cast

View All

Crew

Director
  • Douglas Barr
Writer
  • M. A. Lovretta
Producer
  • Paul Rayman
  • Michael Shepard

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to review this movie!
Sign in to leave a review.

Thematic Analysis

To Be Fat Like Me represents a fascinating example of TV Movie/Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.

Director Douglas Barr brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2007, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of To Be Fat Like Me took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 89 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 136 minutes long.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The film contains approximately 1192 individual shots.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 2007, when this film is released:
  • Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
  • Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
  • Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.

How This Film Stands Out

While To Be Fat Like Me shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Human Nature, which focuses more on action than character development, To Be Fat Like Me subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Muriel's Wedding and Transamerica explore similar territory, To Be Fat Like Me stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: January 8, 2007
  • Runtime: 1h 29m

Similar Movies