Fatso

Directed by the late Anne Bancroft, Fatso is as funny and humane as anything her very funny husband, Mel Brooks, directed. Bancroft evidently tapped into her Bronx background for this story of an Italian American, played sympathetically by Dom DeLuise, who runs a greeting card shop and is struggling with weight and shyness in courting a young women who opens an antique shop in the neighborhood. Bancroft plays his sister who is always nagging him about his weight (but does an hilarious dance with him in his shop) and there are many wonderful family scenes, especially the funeral near the beginning of the film of the hero's morbidly obese cousin who "always had something good to eat on him". A scene where DeLuise and his diet-support group ("Chubby Checkers") break out and go on an orgy of eating is alone worth the price of the movie. I watch this movie at least once a year and it never fails to give me great pleasure.

As did Red Skelton in his time, Dom DeLuise has a very sweet on-screen persona. He's the kind of guy you'd trust your kids to.

Anne Bancroft, a multi-talented lady sorely missed, wrote and directed a picture here on a topic not ever before focused on, overeating. Given that the US has become the fattest country on earth and the most obsessed with weight loss, it's surprising no filmmaker has ever taken the topic on the way they have drugs or drinking or racism. Maybe it's just too close to home.

The funny thing is that DeLuise himself, unlike some of the bit players in the picture, is not all that fat, seriously chubby, to be sure, not bathing suit material, but not really obese. Never mind. He's told he is and thinks he is and has a hell of a confused and guilty time with it. "Why does everybody want me to be skinny?" he asks himself. "I'm not such a bad guy."

The "message," that love conquers all shortcomings, including gluttony, is a little pat and predictable. But it would be churlish to come down hard on such a well-meaning, well- written, well-directed and well-played comedy. Catch it when you can.

The very sad thing about many good movies is that they not only couldn't be made today, they can't be openly enjoyed without criticism. In Fatso, an overweight man is repeatedly harangued by his sister until he joins Overeaters Anonymous to curb his appetite. Anne Bancroft actually screams at him and hits him, calling him 'fatso' and saying he's going to die if he doesn't stop. Ever since the 'big is beautiful' campaign, it isn't socially acceptable to talk about being overweight that way. And, since American obesity has been steadily increasing through the years and decades, when you go back and watch Fatso, Dom DeLuise doesn't look nearly as overweight as he did in 1980. It's very unfortunate that this movie, obviously created with love, would be raked over the coals if viewed by modern audiences.

This movie is Anne Bancroft's baby; she wrote, directed, and co-stared as the concerned sister. She didn't make this movie to shame overweight people or laugh at them. She made it to show how hard it is to change your mindset when it's in your blood to overeat. In the beginning, we see a typical Italian family, who believe wholeheartedly that food is love, teaching their infant son to drown his unpleasant feelings in food. Feeling full is comforting, and when you've been taught that response since before you can talk, it's nearly impossible to change. From Anne's character's point of view, she's worried and frustrated that her brother is killing himself by overeating. When she slaps him and tells him he has to stop, she's reacting the say any other concerned family member would react if her brother were hooked on drugs or alcohol. If you're able to view overeating in that same vein, you'll be able to fully appreciate this movie. If you can't shake your modern goggles off, or you have no concept of the Italian culture, you're not ready for Fatso yet.

There are some real classic moments in this film. The hot dog scene where Dom looks at a beautiful girl, then back at the hot dog... in a mental fight that he can't win, he finally bites the hot dog. There are several classic moments and some are quite subtle, such as the scene where Lydia says the wrapping paper is "too gay" only to be glanced at by a man at the cash register. For people with an eating disorder, it will make you cry and laugh at the same time. For people who don't understand the addiction of food, it's an introduction into the dark world and troubles of being overweight. This is a real sleeper. Anne Bancroft does a splendid job of direction, and her character in the film is vivid, and colorful. This is a great film. I liked it a lot, and I have seen it about 5 times.

Fatso is running on Fox Movie Channel now as I write this. I feel compelled to add my appreciation for this sweet little movie that, as I recall, got creamed by many critics when it came out.

The pacing IS slow and the story (unlike the theme) slender. Nevertheless, this is a greatly under-appreciated movie. There are many, many funny scenes and lines that are equal to any from more celebrated comedies. The performances are all right on target, especially DeLouise and Bancroft.

I'm here to say you DON'T have to be Italian or from NY to appreciate the movie. However, if you've ever struggled with a diet, the movie will resonate with you more than if you're a lifelong skinny Minnie. You will not soon forget Dom DeLouise's heartbreak as he listens to a list of restricted foods recited by a severe-looking nurse in his diet doctor's office. Afterwards, when he has to pick up a birthday cake for his nephew, the camera lingers lovingly on the rows of luscious- looking pastries. His torment is palpable and very, very funny.

We in the U.S. live in the land of plenty. This is THE BEST movie about Americans and their unique--dare I say perverse?--relationship with food. And it's sweet, and funny. Really, really funny.