The Best Little Girl in the World (1981) (TV)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Sam O'Steen

Writers:

Steven Levenkron (novel)
David Moessinger (writer)

Release Date:

11 May 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A drama of anorexia nervosa. A movie that just might save your child's life.

Plot:

Casey Powell is a young teenage girl who is secretly suffering from anorexia nevosa, a mental and physical...

Plot Keywords:

Anorexia | Peer Pressure | Disease | Starvation | Reflection

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Charles Durning	...	Frank Powell
Eva Marie Saint	...	Joanne Powell
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Casey Powell
Melanie Mayron	...	Carol Link
Lisa Pelikan	...	Gail Powell
Viveca Lindfors	...	Madame Seurat
David Spielberg	...	Dr. Garett
Jason Miller	...	Clay Orlovsky
Richard Venture	...	Dr. Neil Holzer
Lenora May	...	Julie
Laurence Lau	...	Mark
Michael Dudikoff	...	Chuck
Stephanie Cannon	...	Mary
Ally Sheedy	...	1st Girl
Andrea Pope	...	Michelle the Cheerleader

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Aaron Spelling Productions

Trivia:

The leading role originally went to Jodie Foster, but withdrew, since she was attending at Yale.

Quotes:

Clay: How do you feel about all this, Casey?
Casey: I don't know... I don't want to know. I don't want it and I hate it.
Clay: What do you hate?
Casey: My family. I hate them... but I want them... and I hate wanting them.
Clay: Why do you hate it?
Casey: I hate wanting. Wanting something means that you'll never get it.
Joanne: Haven't we always given you what you wanted? You have everything you've asked for.
Casey: Tell me one damn thing that I ever asked for? What... what did I ever ask for? I asked for nothing... and that's what I got. Gail got attention for screwin' up... and I got nothing for being good. Nothing from you... and nothing from daddy.
Joanne: That is not true. I love you. I wanted you to have everything.
Casey: Everything that you *wanted* me to have! You don't let me choose my own clothes. You never liked my friends so I don't have any friends... and I *can't* take this pressure.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Alice: The Best Little Waitress in the World (#6.16)" (1982)

See Jennifer Jason Leigh do bulimia.

Showing sparks of talent Jennifer Jason Leigh plays a depressed early eighties teen living with a super-controlling father and usual family of idiots. Very well done and very ahead of it's time even if the soundtrack is a little too REO Speedwagon.