MovieChat Forums > Fatso (1980) Discussion > Well-done and holds up through the years

Well-done and holds up through the years

posted 15 years ago by davbot
7 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this movie for the second time, having seen it when it was originally out (probably on video). Excellent work by everyone involved, especially the late, great Anne Bancroft and Dom Deluise. Looking over the cast, I did not realize that Ron Carey had passed. :(

Not only is the movie serious with regard to obesity, but fun and heartwarming with regard to romance and how difficult it truly is to avoid certain foods. My favorite lines include Dom's at the start, referring to his late cousin, Sal, "He always had something on him to eat".

This movie would be a wise choice for a lot of people to watch now (regardless of whether for the first time or again), considering the obesity epidemic.

[–] EntertainMe463 15 years ago

Now all 3 are in Heaven...

Well, I guess there's another reason to watch it?

Yeah, that was one of the best lines...there were so many.

Don't find it dated at all, it's about things that will always be relevant.

~life is a rock....but the radio rolled me~

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

Not only does this film hold up well, it's even more relevant now. With obesity at an all-time high and people more glued to their sets than ever, where is this subject addressed in movies today? Obesity is the elephant in the room (go ahead, it's OK to snicker), but apparently we'd rather watch a Wolverine film.

It's very sad that Dom DeLuise is no longer with us, but the fact that he lived to be 75 is the exception rather than the rule for overweight people. I applaud Dom and Anne for tackling this touchy topic. And to name the lead character "Dom," no less!

[–] FoxyRedFox 15 years ago

Since Anne and Dom were longtime friends, I've often wondered if this was actually based on Dom's life.

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

It certainly looks very biographical, especially because Dom's character is named Dom. In many ways, it feels like a documentary.

[–] lazlo_holyfeld 14 years ago

I'm also impressed with the writing of Anne Bancroft, who happened to be the mother of Max Brooks (author of World War Z). Her son, IMO, is also an excellent writer.

[–] HansieDZ 13 years ago

I just enjoyed this movie again last night when it aired on the ALN (American Living Network). I still laughed and got teary-eyed the same as I did when I first saw it so many years ago.

The main themes of love,family and acceptance are timeless which is why this movie doesn't seem to age.
It's one of my favorites ever.

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

[–] malcolm-20 9 years ago

It's a nice little window on 1979/80, as well!