MovieChat Forums > Thin (2006) Discussion > Some comments.

Some comments.

posted 16 years ago by LauraCohle
3 replies | jump to latest

I was really upset for the way Polly pretty much attacked Brittany in the community circle. I felt terrible that she was being singled out. Imagine her suffering, being so young and needing support from fellow patients but instead being attacked and treated like an inferior. I respect Polly, but I also felt Polly was incredibly dominating and had a negative energy, too.

I also felt bad for Brittany because it was evident how her mother's own disordered eating had impacted upon her - I was so uncomfortable to hear about how they engaged in disorder eating behaviour together, and when Brittany is distraught about developing a double chin (ofcourse she didn't...), her mother just comments that she's lucky she doesn't have a mole.

I was very sad to see how unsuccessful the treatment was when the girls were released. These women are all so beautiful inside and out, yet the horrible suffering of eating disorders has totally ruined their lives and their ability to be happy.

Ofcourse, this is a very emotional and moving documentary, I can't apologise for describing my emotions in my thoughts while watching it. Another part of the film I felt was heartbreaking was Michelle's anxiety to drink the resource drinks (resource, is that right?) and for Polly to eat the birthday cupcake. People without ED can't even imagine how difficult that would have been for the girls.

[–] LauraCohle 16 years ago

Alisa is really hot, too. =P

[–] dancingelf 16 years ago

I actually agreed with Polly.

Brittany seemed like a real attention seeker. Definately one of those girls who wants to have an eating disorder so she can be different and cool and say 'hey look at me i have an eating disorder tell me how skinny i am'

I don't know - just the feeling i get from watching the movie.

And she definately wants to be seen as the sickest, i feel for her it was a way of getting attention.

[–] Monigan 16 years ago

I'm not necessarily trying to defend Polly here, but I think part of understanding that exchange involves spending some time in the eating disorder community. The current trend seems to be showing support by challenging. Offering "Aww, poor baby" to an anorectic can reinforce the idea that she will get sympathy and care by starving. Anorectics can also be competitive, and you can imagine how hard it might be for someone who's actively seeking recovery to be in treatment with someone who's not.

Note the scene where Shelly and Alisa first try to eat together outside of the hospital, how neither wants to take more food than the other. I can only imagine being an anorectic in a hospital cafeteria, trying to eat the slowest, cut the smallest pieces, cry the most. When Polly downs the Resource like a shot of bourbon while Shelly weeps and shakes over hers, it's immensely brave, because eating with apparent ease is the sign of a failed anorectic.

Polly is a vet; Brittany is new, and hasn't faced all the losses she will. And, Polly wasn't wrong -- Brittany left the hospital still very much wanting to be sick, already planning her relapse. I'm sure if Polly spoke harshly to Brittany it's because she remembers being that girl once upon a time.