Review of To the Bone (2017) by Devyn C — 31 Jul 2017

I thought "To The Bone" was okay. I think the performances were fine, but the characters were largely boring and the story never really reached for the insight I was seeking. I realize that the ending is meant to give off the impression that -- when it comes to eating disorders -- there aren't really easy answers, yet the hopeful concluding message doesn't feel earned.

Ellen never won me over. Her sweetheart Luke never won me over. The script has moments of goodness sprinkled in, but they are too short. Side characters are generic and aren't given much room to breathe in the film's long running time, which is tragic because many of these supporting actresses seem very talented.

For a film meant to inspire empathy and raise awareness on a very important issue, I never quite felt that much empathy for the leads or for Ellen's struggle. I just felt like the script was not given enough room to breathe.

At times, it does not feel authentic -- like the narrative it's trying to tell is being overshadowed by silly plot points or annoying characters. I wish the film had gone more into Ellen's art, or had explored her relationship with her mother more, or perhaps shown her having more one-on-one interaction with the large supporting cast.

To The Bone still largely succeeds in telling a solid, well-acted story -- but it doesn't feel special. However, I hope this will inspire more widespread conversation about the issues it seeks to reveal.