Fatso (1980)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Anne Bancroft

Writer:

Anne Bancroft (writer)

Release Date:

1 February 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Dominick has always been a big kid who loved eating. It was his favourite thing. Then his cousin dies...

Plot Keywords:

Urination | Cake | Religion | Male Female Relationship | Italian

Cast

Dom DeLuise	...	Dominick DiNapoli
Anne Bancroft	...	Antoinette
Ron Carey	...	Frankie
Candice Azzara	...	Lydia
Michael Lombard	...	Charlie
Sal Viscuso	...	Vito
Delia Salvi	...	Ida Rendino
Robert Costanzo	...	Johnny
Estelle Reiner	...	Mrs. Goodman
Richard Karron	...	Sonny
Renata Vanni	...	Zi Marie
Paul Zegler	...	Oscar Lapidus
Madeleine Taylor Holmes	...	Nurse
Natasha Ryan	...	Ann Marie
David Comfort	...	Anthony

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG

Company:

Brooksfilms

Trivia:

The priest at the church bazaar was actually a priest, Father Curtis.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: Although Dominick eats steamed kale, the sound effect is more like a crunchy vegetable.

Quotes:

Frankie: You love bread, I don't love bread, I only LIKE bread!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Gilmore Girls: Luke Can See Her Face (#4.20)" (2004)

Under-rated and Under-appreciated

Fatso is running on Fox Movie Channel now as I write this. I feel compelled to add my appreciation for this sweet little movie that, as I recall, got creamed by many critics when it came out.

The pacing IS slow and the story (unlike the theme) slender. Nevertheless, this is a greatly under-appreciated movie. There are many, many funny scenes and lines that are equal to any from more celebrated comedies. The performances are all right on target, especially DeLouise and Bancroft.

I'm here to say you DON'T have to be Italian or from NY to appreciate the movie. However, if you've ever struggled with a diet, the movie will resonate with you more than if you're a lifelong skinny Minnie. You will not soon forget Dom DeLouise's heartbreak as he listens to a list of restricted foods recited by a severe-looking nurse in his diet doctor's office. Afterwards, when he has to pick up a birthday cake for his nephew, the camera lingers lovingly on the rows of luscious- looking pastries. His torment is palpable and very, very funny.

We in the U.S. live in the land of plenty. This is THE BEST movie about Americans and their unique--dare I say perverse?--relationship with food. And it's sweet, and funny. Really, really funny.