Positive movies about body image, body acceptance and beauty?

January 8, 2011 1:01 PM

National Eating Disorders Week is coming up, and we're looking to hold a film screening at my college. What are some good (positive!) movies/documentaries that deal with body image, body acceptance and beauty ideals?

National Eating Disorders Week is coming up, and we're looking to hold a film screening at my college. What are some good (positive!) movies/documentaries that touch upon

-body image
-promoting body acceptance
-debunking unrealistic beauty ideals

that would also appeal to and maintain the attention of a college crowd?

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks!

posted by camcol to media & arts (16 answers total)

I guess Real Women Have Curves? 2004 or 2005, America Ferrera's the lead.
posted by liketitanic at 1:07 PM on January 8, 2011

Hairspray
posted by amarynth at 1:15 PM on January 8, 2011 [2 favorites]

We showed Thin at my school and while it isn't really positive, it was a really successful NEDAW event.
posted by MadamM at 1:19 PM on January 8, 2011

What about Dove's documentary?

Also, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
posted by SMPA at 1:48 PM on January 8, 2011

Girlfight with Michelle Rodriguez is one of the most engaging and empowering movies I've ever seen.
posted by invisible ink at 1:56 PM on January 8, 2011

I don't think the title of a movie called "Real Women Have Curves" is appropriate for a body acceptance movie screening. Some women naturally do not have curves and are naturally skinny. How would that title make them feel? Are they not real women too? Body acceptance is about acceptance of all body types, thin and large.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 3:09 PM on January 8, 2011 [6 favorites]

I also meant to link to Joy Nash's Fat Rant.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 3:14 PM on January 8, 2011 [2 favorites]

I haven't seen it so I can't verify if it was any good but Jessica Simpson did a series called The Price of Beauty. There was one episode where she interviewed a French model who was dealing with anorexia - she had posed in an anorexia awareness campaign that was banned in some countries because she looks like she's at death's door. In fact, she actually died recently.

I'm also inclined to suggest movies where the protagonist is not your typical tiny starlet - Real Women Have Curves was cute and but also My Big Fat Greek Wedding?

This question makes me realize that there aren't a whole lot of positive movies about body image out there. I hope someone posts something that proves me wrong.
posted by kat518 at 3:26 PM on January 8, 2011

If you are open to a TV series, there is Drop Dead Diva.
posted by fifilaru at 3:48 PM on January 8, 2011

Hairspray

Only the John Waters version, plz.
posted by hermitosis at 4:12 PM on January 8, 2011

This might be an outlier, but I recently enjoyed Penelope, with Christina Ricci. There are some goofy moments, but the main message (self-acceptance) is positive. And it has a happy ending.
posted by janepanic at 4:45 PM on January 8, 2011

Calendar Girls? It's mostly about aging, and not necessarily aimed at a college audience, but it was cute.
posted by geegollygosh at 10:26 PM on January 8, 2011

Center Stage?

It's about a group of late teens-early 20s ballet dancers and their various personal issues, including body image and eating disorders, and has a positive resolution.
posted by ladybird at 6:04 AM on January 9, 2011

Perhaps Muriel's Wedding? Muriel does take some weight off in the course of the film. Still, serious issues are addressed.
posted by cleverevans at 6:04 AM on January 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

Harold and Maude. For real.
posted by devotion+doubt at 6:44 AM on January 9, 2011

Thank you for your answers!
posted by camcol at 10:45 AM on January 12, 2011