HTF REVIEW: Fatso

Michael Osadciw · 07-03-2006, 01:40 PM

FATSO

A FOX FILM
Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Film Year: 1980
Length: 93 minutes
Genre: Comedy(??)/Drama

Aspect Ratio:

1.85:1

Colour/B&W: Colour

Audio:

English 2.0 mono

Subtitles: none
Film Rating:
U.S. SRP: $9.98

Release Date: June 13, 2006.

Film Rating:

/

Starring: Dom DeLuise (Dominick DiNapoli), Anne Bancroft (Antoinette), Ron Carey (Frankie)

Written by: Anne Bancroft
Directed by: Anne Bancroft

Hot dogs. Waffles. Butter. White bread. Lots of pasta loaded up with sauce and more sauce. Oils. Chips. Desserts. Sugary foods. What are all of these tasty delights? They are the recipe to obesity. If these are a part of a regular diet the chance of being fat is highly likely. While some cultures believe it’s good to put on a little “buff” by eating this way, it isn’t the right way and the chances of getting clogged arteries and a heart attack are greater than ever. We know we are an over-indulging obese society eating unnaturally manufactured ingredient combinations for the sake of taste or convenience – but it is slowly killing us one at a time. It’s difficult for most people to admit they have the problem of over-eating and sadly most people do nothing about it.

Fatso is set in an American-Italian family where food is always prepared in gross amounts. Dominick loves his food and always found a love for eating whether happy or depressed. But when his obese cousin dies at the young age of 39, Dominick must decide to do something with his own weight – if he can be convinced. Like most people, he ignores the problem until his body can’t take it anymore; he gets a scare when he realizes something simple like a little dance leaves him breathless and with chest pains.

For Dominick, it may take a little more than fad diets, doctors, and “The Chubby Checkers” group to get him motivated. Maybe a love interest would be the greatest motivation of all??

This film is about as bad as plaque build-up in an artery from the heart. The funeral whining in the first 20 minutes was overdramatic and unbearable to watch. It wasn’t for a short period of time either…it kept going and going…was it supposed to be funny? If it was I forgot to laugh. The film is full of awkward moments. It is terribly produced from script to shooting. It’s a shame because the subject matter is an important one but it won’t leave anyone thinking about changing their eating habits.

VIDEO QUALITY

/

This correctly framed anamorphic 1.85:1 DVD is one of the grainiest films I’ve seen in a long time. Imagine looking out the window and watching a gentle snow fall; substitute film grain for the snow and you’ll be watching Fatso. Resolution is fair and edge enhancement is sometimes present. The picture is very flat looking. Colours are dull and contrast is fairly low. This isn’t a great DVD picture by any means and I somehow feel a little generous giving it two stars.

AUDIO QUALITY

/

The audio is not great either. It is presenting in Dolby Digital 2.0. Its limited in fidelity, it sounds stressed and distorted and is very basic in terms of effects recording. This isn’t a film that would require many effects outside of the day-to-day noises we hear but my issue is how poorly integrated it all sounds. Even the music could benefit from a little more kick.

SPECIAL FEATURES

/

Nothing to feast on but a theatrical trailer. Enjoy…

IN THE END…

If you’ve never seen this film before, I’d recommend you pass over it. Maybe if I came from an Italian household I’d be kinder to the “annoyances” in this film because I’d be used to it…but then, why would I want to be further annoyed? (not that this film represents all Italian households).. While the film looked like it was going to be funny, it’s a flop that’s worse than eating a salad with 2 gallons of oil on it considered as “dressing.” See you all in the emergency room.

Michael Osadciw
July 03, 2006.

Aaron Silverman · 07-03-2006, 01:49 PM

Wow, there's a blast from the past! I remember this being a pretty major release at the time, but I don't remember a thing about it. (Never realized that it was written and directed by Anne Bancroft either!)

Thanks for the review!

RomanSohor · 07-04-2006, 09:43 PM

The idea of taking a jelly donut, stuffing it with peanut butter cups, and letting it melt in the oven is just pure gold.

i'm hungry :-)



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