Hunger Point

This movie was based on Jillian Medoff's 1997 520-page novel by the same name. The book told a beautiful, realistic story. Making it into a movie, especially a TV movie (not that they would ever release a film about eating disorders in theaters), was not a good idea. So much of the story was cut out. If I had only seen the movie and not read the book, I would have hated it. But it some ways it was nice seeing a favorite book of mine brought to life. I would have to say that was the only reason I liked this movie at all. Well, the acting was pretty good, I'll give you that. One thing I didn't like was the writers' attempt to address an issue relating to eating disorders that was not an issue at the time the book was written, and therefore was obviously not part of the book. That was the issue of pro-anorexia websites, the whole "anorexic and proud" mentality. Whether or not this is an important issue is another matter, but it was not part of the book and therefore should not have been included in the movie. The cut so much of the story out, just to add in something that wasn't originally there. I'd say this is worth checking out if you've read and liked the book, otherwise, skip it.

Lifetime went brave in this movie. They were way ahead of their time. They took on a subject so enormous many were too afraid to touch or pretended it was not important enough to touch. Body image in young women. Obviously it is a very important subject because it is in the top mind of everyone. Kudos to the writer for crafting a screenplay far more true and interesting than the book, much of it based on her own sisters' trouble with eating disorders. The LA Times said it was THE most important movie on the subject of all time and that every mother and daughter should watch it. The Hollywood Reporter said Ms. Amelon's writing is extraordinary and she should get an Emmy for the movie. Too bad the director threw in the scene about the websites, something that wasn't in the book. Reviews have been critical on that scene and the writer was right in trying to keep it out of the movie. Over all, the movie should have been a feature and nominated instead for an Oscar.

Wow if I lived in a family like this and had a mother like Marsha Hunter (Hershey) i think I'd go on a rampage and kill her. "oh no!! We can't be overweight! Hell will freeze over before my daughters are overweight!! You want the boys to like you? I mean those poor girls. They had to have grown tired of this woman.....What a bizarre woman!! And to top it all off, that girl Shelley is just as bad! She always seems to be whining about something new or how "ashamed" she is. She's a freak. She has no sort of toughness within her bones. The only normal person in this family is Frannie. Poor girl. She has such a bizarre family. The acting is pretty good though. Well folks, heres your typical lifetime movie. Big bore. Depressing and terrible storyline. The anorexia/bullemic story gets a little old. 0 stars out of 10.

When I saw the previews for this movie I was intrigued. I was expecting a movie about a young woman who was battling anorexia that delved into how it all began and followed her along her struggle. However the "background information" that would set up the childhood of this suffering character is quickly plowed through and immediately she is checking into a hospital.

There are a few heart breaking scenes that, despite some cheesy and ill-delivered lines, are haunting. When Frannie and Mother first visit Shelly, her utter anger is portrayed extremely well. This is someone who controls her eating because she feels her life is in a tailspin and everything else is out of her control. The other scenes is the two sisters in the restaurant and Shelly asks Frannie to order the sandwich and put on "more dressing" and is practically salivating.

Then 'Hunger Point' meets a fork in the road of the plot and goes in another direction. Shelly becomes an underlying theme or can even be considered a catalyst, for the rest of the film.

If you watch this movie expecting it to be centered around Shelly, it ends up being about Frannie. But if it reruns, I'll tune in. You must at least once!

this was without a doubt one of the best books i've ever read. i just finished it this weekend and was so excited to find out that it had been made into a movie AND that it was playing today on lifetime. now i wish i hadn't found out. this is quite possibly the WORST movie i've ever seen - the acting is horrendous and they ruined an amazing book. i usually love to see other people's interpretations of books i've read (and love cheesy lifetime movies), but not in this case - don't waste your time!!