America the Beautiful (2007) User Reviews

Watch this with your teens...

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 8 August 2012]

While this film is rated R, I strongly recommend you see it with your teens. Yes, there is some VERY intense footage of plastic surgery which necessitates the rating--but the film is well worth it. After all, how can kids understand how insidious our society's messages are if we sugarcoat it?! Plus, these messages bombard them constantly. Kids dying from eating disorders, perfectly normal looking teens getting plastic surgery and tons of self-hatred are all problems that are addressed in this documentary--and how the insane standards of today make these problems like an epidemic.

The film consists, among other things, of lots and lots of interviews. My daughter and I were actually surprised just how many there were and all the trouble the filmmakers went to in order to get them--such as trips to London and Milan to follow a very screwed up mother and daughter on their quest to turn her into an ultra-chi runway model. Additionally, it was surprising how many people in the fashion and cosmetic industry were willing to be filmed. However, one of the interviewees (from US Magazine) seemed incredibly hypocritical when she complained about the current obsession with beauty--considering that IS pretty much all you see in the publication.

Overall, this is a very good documentary. Even though the narration and look of the film looked a bit rough, the message really hit home. The complaints I have are all very minor (such as mentioning America in the title, as shallowness and an obsession with looks is not just an American problem). Well worth seeing and important for your kids to see. In fact, don't just show the film to them--talk about it with them.

Thought Provoking

[lodgeskins · 7/10 · 1 February 2010]

As a previous reviewer stated, this is not a polished gem. It does jump frequently from one sub-topic to another, but the beauty thread is always there. Personally, the breadth of the film didn't bother me. I think an in depth feature on one aspect of our perception of beauty would be boring. There are many points made in this film that are very interesting; things that I hadn't thought about before. It's easy to say things like "Models are model(s) because they are beautiful, that is their job and there is nothing wrong with that" and more difficult to see that often the requirements for a model's dimensions are unhealthy standards, which many women strive to achieve. I think the audience that could benefit the most from the message of this film is the teenage girl, but it's a good film for the parents of those girls as well, so that they may have more awareness to guide their children.

The Ugly Side Of Beauty

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 28 March 2020]

(*Note*) ~ (The following is an important message to all concerned parents) - If you have a teenage daughter who wants to be a fashion model, I strongly suggest that (in order to bring her to her senses) you have her watch "America The Beautiful" and (hopefully) this eye-opening presentation will have her taking a reality check.

In this "Beauty Vs. Ugly" documentary there can be no denying the intense seduction and the powerful appeal that the fashion industry can have on young, impressionable girls.

But, with that in mind - I am relieved to say that "America the Beautiful" did do a fairly convincing job of dispelling all of the glamour and glitz that initially lures one into believing that being a supermodel is, indeed, the ultimate dream career, bar none.

A look at our generally shallow, superficial, skin-deep society

[take2docs · 6/10 · 21 October 2022]

'Body Dysmorphic Disorder' is a fancy clinical term used to describe a psychological condition mostly known to women, in which the sufferer is overly obsessed with perceived flaws in her appearance, to an unhealthy degree. I've read about this in magazine articles and books, with the disorder said to be mainly a modern and Western one.

Large behinds, sagging breasts, muffin-top bulges, varicose veins, cellulite, smile lines, frown lines, split ends -- these are just some of the 'monsters' female sufferers of this condition find themselves contending with. Whereas the average woman simply resigns herself to accepting these perceived blemishes and defects for what they are, there are those who see these as unacceptable imperfections and who will try almost anything to improve how they look, more than willing they are to undergo procedures ranging from face lifts and liposuction, to breast augmentation and even cosmetic labiaplasty.

At the center of AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL is a girl named Gerren, a 12-year-old (at the time) fashion model. We watch as she struts up and down runways in garments I suspect not too many girls her age would ever wear in public, let alone purchase. We learn that Gerren's mother was once a model yet now finds herself passing the torch onto her daughter. Ironic, then, that at one point in the film we should hear mother voicing her disapproval over daughter's desire to wear makeup and a padded bra to school -- this, while having no problem with Gerren being ogled at fashion shows whilst modeling skimpy garb, as well as her posing for fashion shoots all cosmeticized and dolled up.

This story of mother and daughter, which is the main focus of the documentary, is entertaining enough, but it was the peripheral content which I enjoyed the most.

One of the questions the film explores is Western society's obsession with physical appearance and specifically its apparent preference for good-looking people. Is it really so that ill-favored folks are sometimes discriminated against?

We listen in as one man expresses his opinion that if an employer had to decide between two applicants who shared the same job skills and experience, that the better looking of the two would almost always be the one hired.

One guy interviewed in this says he's awaiting the day when through cloning women are custom-designed to fit supermodel-like specifications, but this sounds more like wishful thinking on his part than a realistic prediction, if you ask me.

We're also introduced to an exclusive online club in which only the photogenic may join. If you want to become a member you must first submit a photo of yourself. Your appearance is then evaluated by existing users of the site and if you're deemed attractive, you're accepted; if judged unfavorably, for being ugly, your application is rejected. It's as simple as that.

Interesting to me was learning how so many images we see on billboards and in magazines of prettified women are actually computer-enhancements. There's a moment which shows, via time-lapse photography, the transition of an average-looking woman into billboard beauty, with the before and after images appearing as if two entirely different faces.

One woman is interviewed who tells of her experience of being fired from a casino for refusing to comply with a policy that required all female staff to wear makeup. Another woman relates her own personal horror story involving reconstructive surgery. The parents of a daughter who died of bulimia speak of their loss. We also hear from a couple experts who comment on carcinogenic cosmetics.

Without a doubt, however, by far a more memorable sequence occurs around the 1-hour mark, involving a man identified as a 'maxillofacial surgeon'.

As I sat watching this film I was reminded of a Twilight Zone episode (this TV series being one of my favorites). Titled "Eye of the Beholder," it's one that teaches an important lesson. At the heart of AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL is a message very similar and one that ought to go without saying. And who cannot like director Darryl Roberts? His laidback and easygoing style makes the doc even more of a pleasure to watch, with his talent as a filmmaker making me want to check out more of his work.

Note: That I haven't rated this higher than 6/10 has to do with the fact that Mr. Roberts focuses too much attention, in my opinion, on the life of Gerren, who in one moment made me chuckle, when frustrated she complains, "I don't understand why this industry is so fake!" That it takes her as long as it does to come to this realization is what's funny.

Powerful film!!

[bbtracy · 9/10 · 12 July 2010]

As a person who had an eating disorder as a college student, I can only say this film was incredibly powerful for me! I am now a mother with teenage daughters and I think everyone in America should see this documentary. The first thing I did when it was over was call my daughters and tell them, "you are beautiful just the way you are." Our beauty obsessed culture is destroying the lives of women (and men) as we are seeking more and more beauty in women. When you see the effect American media had on Fiji, you cannot deny the damage it plays in our culture. This film has changed me, and I hope others, for sure. Loved it!

A misguided, well researched documentary

[wjc722 · 4/10 · 7 January 2010]

American The Beautiful a documentary that focuses on facts and figures rather than ever hitting on any specific point. Throughout the film we are shown countless examples of how beauty infiltrates our daily lives and how supposedly this factors into our perception of each other as a civilization. I get what the director is trying to do and put across but I guess I just don't really understand why a documentary needs to be made about it…

While the creators of the film never come out explicitly and tell us how we should act or feel, there is a sense that as a nation we should feel bad for putting so much emphasis on things like beauty. I can agree to an extent that as a nation we should not discriminate jobs, friendships and talent based on looks but I don't like the idea that I should be forced to feel bad because I may prefer to look at something that may be more aesthetically pleasing than something that isn't. I understand that sometimes unfortunately, we do discriminate based upon looks but you can't fault the majority for the actions of the minority.

I don't think there is anything wrong with someone buying a beauty magazine to make his or herself look better or a health magazine to show us how to get in better shape so I don't really like how that's thrown in my face. For example in the very beginning of the film the camera pans across a magazine stand so we can get an idea of just how many of these types of magazines are in our daily lives. Great, all you proved is that there are a lot of beauty and health magazines. However, they don't show the boating, auto, home or finance magazines that are on the very same stands. We are forced to think we are obsessed with beauty…But are we?

The documentary also takes a look at dating websites that are exclusively based on a person's appearance. Now we should feel that this is a bad thing, but again, is it? I don't think so. Speaking for myself, there is no doubt that personality is the most important aspect of making a connection with another but I would be lying to say that appearance did not factor into my judgment. I personally like to stay in shape and take care of my appearance and I would prefer my partner do the same. I believe a partner that stays in shape, shows that they care about their body, diet and appearance and shows positive traits. Now I'm not saying that every relationship should work like this, because everyone is different and has different tastes, likes and dislikes. I am also not saying that just because you are in shape you a great person, quite the contrary. I am saying that health and appearance are simply two of the traits that I personally take into consideration and I don't like feeling that this is a bad way to feel. I would never date a gorgeous person with horrible attitude but I would also never date someone who is 100lbs overweight and has a great attitude, both possess traits that I do not find appealing. Is this bad?

Again, I understand what this documentary is trying to say but I feel it is missing the mark. The creators should be focusing on specifics rather than exploiting everything that has to do with beauty. Models are model because they are beautiful, that is their job and there is nothing wrong with that. Electricians are electricians because they are good doing electrical work, that is their job and there is nothing wrong with that. Should I feel bad for someone who wants to be an electrician but lacks the necessary skills to become one? No, it is just not the job for that person.

Once again, my problem with this documentary is that it doesn't look to focus on any specific horrible practice of the modeling world or the discrimination that may occur in obtaining a job based on ones looks, if it did it would be a completely different story. Rather the documentary focuses on the entire concept of beauty in America as a whole as if it is a bad thing. We don't stop watching sports because some athletes take steroids and we don't stop allowing people to have dogs because some people engage in dog fighting. I know…bad analogies but my point is that there will always be people who take things the wrong way but I do not need to feel bad or that I am doing something bad because of these peoples' misguided views.

I understand that beauty is far too often a factor in decisions that have nothing to do with beauty, but we should not blame the companies that promote, sell or advertise beauty. Rather, we should blame the everyday people whom let beauty get in the way of such decisions.