Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1988)

Karen Carpenter's battle with anorexia nervosa and the cultural influence of the Carpenters in the 70s.

Director:

Todd Haynes

Writers:

Cynthia Schneider, Todd Haynes

Stars:

Merrill Gruver, Michael Edwards, Melissa Brown

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Merrill Gruver	...	Karen (voice)
Michael Edwards	...	Richard (voice)
Melissa Brown	...	Mother (voice)
Rob LaBelle	...	Dad / Mr. A&M (voice)
Nannie Doyle	...	Cherry Boone (voice)
Cynthia Schneider	...	Dionne Warwick (voice)
Larry Kole	...	Announcer (voice)
Gwen Kraus	...	Narrator (voice)
Bruce Tuthill	...	Narrator (voice)
Joanne Barnett	...	Self - Singer
Todd Haynes	...	(voice)
Moira McCarty	...	(voice)
Laurie Stone	...	(voice)
Michelle Manenti	...	(voice)
Celia Pearce	...	(voice)

Storyline

Karen and Richard Carpenter are young musicians living with their parents in Downey, California. Richard shows great promise as a songwriter and Karen, who plays drums, begins to sing vocals, thrusting the duo into stardom. They become wildly successful, Karen's striking voice and Richard's soft melodies capturing the essence of the nation's yearning for calm after the turbulent Sixties. But Karen strives for perfection and becomes increasingly fearful of her weight, despite being a slender woman. Eventually she is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, a mental disease relating to stress, lack of control, and low self-esteem. A fight for Karen's life ensues.

---

Plot Keywords:

trash | anorexia nervosa | anorexia | downey california | disease | 

---

Genres:

Short | Biography | Drama | Music

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ken- and Barbie-style dolls play all of the parts.

---

Goofs

The same scene of Karen in the hospital is used for Karen in her bed at home when her mother calls.

---

Quotes

Richard: Karen, why are you doing this?
Karen: I was constipated.
Richard: Oh, you liar!
Karen: Don't tell mom and dad, Richard.
Richard: Why shouldn't I? Why shouldn't I tell them? You are ruining my life!
Karen: If you do, I'll tell them about you and your "private" life.
Richard: You say one word to them, one fucking word...

---

Crazy Credits

There are no ending credits, the film ends after shots of newspaper headlines detailing Karen Carpenter's death.

---

Connections

Version of The Karen Carpenter Story (1989)

---

Soundtracks

We've Only Just Begun
Written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams
Performed by The Carpenters

User Reviews

Excellent

I recently saw Superstar in an art class of mine, having heard about the film for over ten years. I had been dying to get my hands on a copy, and was extremely excited about seeing it. It surpassed every expectation I had. I can't imagine the story being done any other way with Barbie dolls. When "Karen" is talking about how she feels fat, one can't help but look at the irony that she is being played by a stick thin Barbie but still insists she's fat--just as Karen couldn't see that in real life. Not preachy or cheesy at all, the "dolls" manage to inject more humanity in the film than actors could. One of the most beautiful, poignant shots ever is in Superstar--Karen Carpenter, alone in the studio, singing a very sad song as the camera pans up and the lights grow dim, the only visible thing her shining face and her echoing, melancholy voice. Do whatever you have to do to see this!!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story

Company Credits

Production Co:

Iced Tea Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1