This movie was aired on WNET Feb 9, 2013. The acting was very good, the screen play was very good and the script was very good.
So as not to repeat the excellent insights of the other reviews of this film, my only comment was regarding the scenes where: (1) Carmine Famiglietti (Neil) is vomiting up the smörgåsbord of junk food he had just ate in his hotel room in Brooklyn after he had returned to Brooklyn from his soul searching in upstate New York; and (2) Subsequently Neil attends an Overeaters Anonymous (OA) Meeting (not specifically stated) where he gives a testimonial of his personal fight with his food addiction.
These two scenes seem to indicate that Neil has become a bulimic to conquer his weight problem. Many food addicts do become bulimics and do attend OA meetings to cope with their demons. Unfortunately, this thread is not explored and the movie ends with Neil sun bathing at Coney Island lying next to a young hottie.
This movie would have been absolutely trailblazing had it really explained how Neil's motivation caused him to lose the 150 pounds. Clearly Neil had not changed his outlook on food, otherwise would not have pigged out in his Brooklyn hotel room following his failed date with the waitress. Clearly Neil has not come to grips with his sense of insecurity and he is still the passive person he was when he was 315 lbs.
Despite the above gripes this is an excellent film worth viewing.
So as not to repeat the excellent insights of the other reviews of this film, my only comment was regarding the scenes where: (1) Carmine Famiglietti (Neil) is vomiting up the smörgåsbord of junk food he had just ate in his hotel room in Brooklyn after he had returned to Brooklyn from his soul searching in upstate New York; and (2) Subsequently Neil attends an Overeaters Anonymous (OA) Meeting (not specifically stated) where he gives a testimonial of his personal fight with his food addiction.
These two scenes seem to indicate that Neil has become a bulimic to conquer his weight problem. Many food addicts do become bulimics and do attend OA meetings to cope with their demons. Unfortunately, this thread is not explored and the movie ends with Neil sun bathing at Coney Island lying next to a young hottie.
This movie would have been absolutely trailblazing had it really explained how Neil's motivation caused him to lose the 150 pounds. Clearly Neil had not changed his outlook on food, otherwise would not have pigged out in his Brooklyn hotel room following his failed date with the waitress. Clearly Neil has not come to grips with his sense of insecurity and he is still the passive person he was when he was 315 lbs.
Despite the above gripes this is an excellent film worth viewing.