Before and After

Just nine days before the premiere of NBC's remake of "The Miracle Worker", Patty Duke Astin slipped in this frivolous piece about weight loss for ABC. She's a dumpy, overweight 40-year-old wife and mother (at 139lbs!) who splits her pants at a party and has to wear a curtain home (don't ask). After her husband leaves her to find himself ("It's not you--it's me!"), she goes on a diet and starts an exercise regimen, losing 23lbs. Suddenly skinny, she begins dating a younger man but learns that being thinner doesn't solve life's problems. This teleplay by Hindi Brooks has hopes to be a comedy, a marital drama, a romantic drama, and a feminist anthem. It also plays like Patty Duke's Greatest Hits, with a hint of "Valley of the Dolls" (with an exercise montage and pal Barbara Feldon getting hooked on pills), a hint of "Me, Natalie" (the ugly duckling becoming a swan), and more: husband Bradford Dillman is reunited with Duke from "The Swarm" and wheedling mom Rosemary Murphy is reunited with Patty from "You'll Like My Mother". The star gets to be a little sexier here than usual, which is fun to see; however, director Kim Friedman never finds an appropriate tone from scene to scene, leaving viewers hungry for something extra. *1/2 from ****

I usually rate an average film 5/10, but Conchata Farrell's presence in the film gives it an extra star. Although not a bad film, the cheesy music and predictable dialogue don't help, as much as hinder. Patty plays a supposedly overweight (she was hardly that) woman, who is trying to cope with her weight and marriage struggles. I think this could have been an excellent telefilm if it wasn't so heavy handed--and a better script couldn't have hurt. You have almost everyone in the film telling Patty's character, Carole, she is overweight. I suppose this was done so the viewer would believe it. Well, not this viewer. Patty was too svelte, that even with some lame padding she barely looked 5-10 lbs. overweight. I know there was a good point to this film, but with all the other "stuff" the true meaning gets lost in it. Thankfully, Patty made some other fine films, this is more of a curiosity piece with a good cast.

I have seen many movies starring Patty Duke and this one was so different. I have seen this movie MANY, MANY times (and can recite the words to it from beginning to end), and learn something new each time. It is amazing to me that, because of the time period when it was written, although eating disorders existed, they were portrayed differently. In this movie, the words "eating disorder" were never even uttered, yet the message was clear. "Before and After" clearly portrayed the impact food and weight has on women -- even in 1979. It also showed how women can feel very comfortable or very uncomfortable with their size, and how that plays out in other areas of their life. All of the angles were right on the money -- from Marge to Carole to Penny -- each of those interpretations is extremely realistic. Extremely well done -- I just wish I knew what would have happened to Penny.

When I first saw this movie I was about 13 years old. Even then I felt it to be very inspirational and encouraging. It helped me in my journey to loose unwanted pounds and to create a healthy way of life. By doing so, my self esteem soared and by being at a crucial time in my life it helped! I believe all teenagers; especially girls need a positive outlet "this movie" that can help with their self esteem. This movie can also be inspiring to the middle aged overweight person who feels they may be too old to make a change. This story showed more than just a fat woman trying to be respected and treated like a desirable woman/wife; this movie also reveals how shallow men can be. I felt this movie was enlightening and a major hooray for all women, fat or skinny. I loved it! A must see!

I loved this movie so much I am trying to find it so I can buy the DVD. The reason I like this movie so much is because it is inspirational to see a character overcome a difficulty in life while learning life lessons from her friends who were on opposite poles of this body image problem in the United States.

Dukes performance was, as always, superb, as she has a talent to become the character she plays...bringing that persons plight and emotions to life.

This movie is worth watching for anyone who struggles with a negative body image. Just watch it and look for the life lesson. You will discover a very important truth in life that will help you love yourself as you are - which I believe opens the door that catapults one in taking care of their bodies for the right reason.