This movie is good to watch and was a good attempt at reorganizing what we consider 'healthy' and how body-shaming needs to end. BUT, they also took it too far by not establishing that there is a difference between being obese/fat and how detrimental it is to ones' health and being 'plus-sized' due to the unrealistic body expectations of the fashion industry.
31 Reviews
Disappointing and limited
lesleysaphin29 September 2023
I'm a great believer in inclusivity and showing clothes on real people with lumps and bumps. Healthy people come in a variety of shapes and no one should be made to feel that they should have to conform to an unrealistic fashion driven shape at the cost of their long term health.
Being underweight is dangerous to health and the fashion industry is trying to address this by banning models with a BMI of under 18.5 in most runway shows. This would seem to be a great step forward, but having a BMI of over 30 is also very dangerous to heath and (in my opinion) would also warrant being banned to avoid impressionable people being driven to a similarly unhealthy body goal.
Sadly this documentary seems rather exploitative of the body positive movement. Most of these models are undoubtedly in the healthy weight zone so why not draw that out?
Being underweight is dangerous to health and the fashion industry is trying to address this by banning models with a BMI of under 18.5 in most runway shows. This would seem to be a great step forward, but having a BMI of over 30 is also very dangerous to heath and (in my opinion) would also warrant being banned to avoid impressionable people being driven to a similarly unhealthy body goal.
Sadly this documentary seems rather exploitative of the body positive movement. Most of these models are undoubtedly in the healthy weight zone so why not draw that out?
Entertaining and Eye Opening Documentary
patricia-23118 April 2020
Enjoyable and entertaining documentary looking inside the modeling world and focusing on the "plus size" side of the industry and a lot of the wonderful well-known models. I was glued to the screen the whole time - it is very well done, great paced and heartfelt.
This is a film for white women.
lburrows-6516812 December 2020
I could barely watch this. Fatphobia is horrific and should be addressed, but this film lacks a nuanced, intersectional analysis, and how they compare fatphobia to racism shows a shallow understanding of both racism and thus fatphobia. I couldn't even finish this. Cringe.
A Refreshing Depiction of Reality.
brokenhappy14 April 2020
As someone who has spent most of her adult life as an "in between" size, this documentary felt extremely validating.
If the point of the fashion industry is to sell clothes, it would seem those designing for it missed the memo. Larger sizes sell. The money of larger customers spends just as well as the money of slimmer customers, and businesses are leaving money on the table by not offering an appropriate range of sizes. This documentary highlights that and many more truths about not just the fashion industry, but of societal perception in general.
I highly recommend viewing this, and being open to questioning your prior assumptions. You'll probably learn something.
If the point of the fashion industry is to sell clothes, it would seem those designing for it missed the memo. Larger sizes sell. The money of larger customers spends just as well as the money of slimmer customers, and businesses are leaving money on the table by not offering an appropriate range of sizes. This documentary highlights that and many more truths about not just the fashion industry, but of societal perception in general.
I highly recommend viewing this, and being open to questioning your prior assumptions. You'll probably learn something.
This film will change your relationship with your body for the better!
elf_10714 April 2020
This exceptional documentary exposes the completely distorted relationship the fashion industry has with body size, and by extension reveals how it's one of the last really societally accepted forms of discrimination. Through the lens of three unique, beautiful and fascinating models' stories we learn about the crimes this industry has perpetrated on its customers... relegating a perfectly average women's size 14 (which is the median size in America) to the "Plus size" designation which is so often forgotten, underserved, looked-down upon and sometimes straight up ignored.
This film is a celebration of the female form, and radically changed how I felt about my body as a result. I did not realize, and see, how I was being manipulated and led to insecurity as a customer for the gain of corporations... If you want a film to change how you think about the context of fashion, your clothing, your body, then this film is for you. If you want a great documentary about a strange and dysfunctional industry that touches everyone in some way, then this film is also for you.
It's a well produced, eye-opening piece with so much depth - and the models featured are courageous and fearsome. You will find yourself rooting for them every step of the way... Recommend!
This film is a celebration of the female form, and radically changed how I felt about my body as a result. I did not realize, and see, how I was being manipulated and led to insecurity as a customer for the gain of corporations... If you want a film to change how you think about the context of fashion, your clothing, your body, then this film is for you. If you want a great documentary about a strange and dysfunctional industry that touches everyone in some way, then this film is also for you.
It's a well produced, eye-opening piece with so much depth - and the models featured are courageous and fearsome. You will find yourself rooting for them every step of the way... Recommend!
How body image standards make money
homelobotomy13 April 2020
Awesome insights on the way the multimillion-dollar fashion industry has issues and contradictions on it's own beauty standards. A must watch for anyone interested in learning how body image standards sells, tell people how to dress, react and feel about their own bodies and makes money in return.
Great look a the plus model industry.
jamie-7015714 April 2020
Worthy!
allibeansings13 April 2020
Enlightening peek behind the scenes
darrellspicejr13 April 2020
Fascinating look at the fashion industry and how they've pushed unrealistic ideals on the public through marketing and segregation, "clothing for you is on the 3rd floor", and how things are starting to change for the better.
A great Film.
ggasztonyi14 April 2020
Beautiful and informative
irislmoore14 April 2020
A good peeking into the plus size modeling world
king_kx14 April 2020
Honest documentary
KatyaZharkova13 April 2020
Beautiful and Deeply Touching Film about Self-Love. Great filmmaking. Highly Recommend!
ahunking-931-742314 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I watched the film A Perfect 14 at the The Vancouver International Women in Film Festival. BRAVO to the filmmakers! It was an incredibly well-made, nuanced film with such heart. It examines the lack of diversity of people (body sizes, skin colors) in the Fashion world. The film captured the years' leading up to the main character Elly Maydays' passing. Her self-love was such a striking part of the film. In today's hyper-glossy media crazy world, "self-love" is an act of bravery...accepting yourself is a personal form of activism. The audience at the festival sobbed audibly, so deeply touched by Elly's bravery. Never experienced that in a theatre before. I'm grateful for Elly's life and legacy - and very sad for those who lost her. She will inspire many people, men and women, for years to come. Hope many people watch the film.
This was downright fantastic
kjohntaylor13 April 2020
I wasn't sure what to think going into a documentary about plus sized modelling. It's not a topic I would have ever had any interest learning about, but with a constantly sharp level of direction, snappy editing, and truly heartfelt and engaging stories with the leading models, it was a film I couldn't stop thinking about for days. I'm giving this 10/10 because as a regular guy, this wasn't a topic I'd ever care about, and this film made me care about it, and kept me entertained the whole way through.
A POWERFUL MOVING FILM!
rafaelomarcruz30 April 2020
This is a beautiful story about never giving up on your dreams no matter the odds. It's also a real eye opener of what women go through in today's society where image is everything. It's a very empowering film! I highly recommend it!
A fascinating look behind the scenes
michelleteheux14 May 2020
This documentary follows three women considered plus-size in the modeling industry who would not necessarily be considered plus-size in society. It takes you behind the scenes and reveals some surprises. You will be shocked to learn how little one model earns posing for one of the most famous magazines in the world. You'll also be surprised to see what some models wear under their clothing in order to deliver the desired plus-size look. Along the way, one models's story takes an unexpected turn and you'll feel all the feels.
Much needed eye-opening!
reginamelzer1 May 2020
Lovely filmmakers bring a subject of beauty and body image to the forefront with their in-depth look into the plus size modeling world...which leaves you asking yourself "yea, why do we call it 'plus size', truly they are just models-it's seems we have all been brainwashed to label "plus sized" if you're not the same size as what the fashion world uses to try their sample sizes on...
I believe this film is helping bring about a revolution of defining beauty and embracing all body types on a mass scale!
Amazing been waiting for the release and it was worth it!
danielleokeefe15 April 2020
This documentary covers such important topics such as. Body image, The fashion industry, ovarian cancer awareness the list goes on.
The documentary is shot internationally and goes into vast detail of models lived experiences within the fashion world and their personal lives.
Please watch this film and recommend it to other women as it tackles a lot in in short time!
The documentary is shot internationally and goes into vast detail of models lived experiences within the fashion world and their personal lives.
Please watch this film and recommend it to other women as it tackles a lot in in short time!
9 out of 10. Would recommend.
This_isDOG18 April 2020
I found this documentary to be very informative on the subject of media beauty standards.
The film does a great job highlighting the unrealistic expectations and ideals that women face day to day from the fashion and commercial world. It's dynamic and engaging. you see the ups and downs of three important models in this industry as well as a exposé on some warped ethics from clothing stores.
These beauty "standards" are NOT normal to the vast majority of the female population. There seems to be a twisted view on what is perfectly healthy and this Documentry brings those issues to light. I'm not usually into these types of topics but this film really opened my eyes on how corporations and designers distort the publics view on womens bodies. NONE of the models bodies indicate they are unhealthy but rather the opposite, they are natural and true. How average women look like.
It's a shame that the media's beauty "standards" poisoned certain peoples perceptions (just take a look in the this review section) and leaves some feeling like they don't deserve to feel beautiful. Everyone should watch this Documentary and maybe we can unlearn the terrible brainwashing of some of these industry giants.
These beauty "standards" are NOT normal to the vast majority of the female population. There seems to be a twisted view on what is perfectly healthy and this Documentry brings those issues to light. I'm not usually into these types of topics but this film really opened my eyes on how corporations and designers distort the publics view on womens bodies. NONE of the models bodies indicate they are unhealthy but rather the opposite, they are natural and true. How average women look like.
It's a shame that the media's beauty "standards" poisoned certain peoples perceptions (just take a look in the this review section) and leaves some feeling like they don't deserve to feel beautiful. Everyone should watch this Documentary and maybe we can unlearn the terrible brainwashing of some of these industry giants.
A very touching documentary about plus sized modeling
cysenaud21 April 2020
Talented filmmakers show us the struggles to build a career in a tough world: the modeling industry. A beautiful story about self-love, body image, cancer and the fashion business across the world. The direction, the leading models, the editing, everything put together make this documentary a must be seen one. I Loved it! Honest, real, informative and moving, this is a fantastic documentary. I highly recommend watching it!
Amazing Film!
dan-4611013 April 2020
This is an incredibly moving film about the struggles so many beautiful women have to endure in the modeling business. The director takes you on journey through the eyes of one model in particular who brings to life the challenges that many women deal with in their daily professional lives. This film is a MUST see for anyone facing adversity and an inspiration to overcoming whatever stands in your way. I would highly would recommend it to everyone.
Loveeeddddd this!!!
walkbyfaith-9302616 April 2020
This film was such a good look inside the plus size industry and a celebration of all the work we have done as an industry and also shows how much further we need to go. As a plus size model from Canada (@SarahTaylorsJourney) it was so cool to see so many of the faces I've looked up to over the years and models I've worked with in NYC and all over the states. Also to hear more of Elly Mayday's story (RIP) as a small town Canadian girl who made it in the big apple before she passed was such a beautiful tribute. The film was soooo well done and I'm so proud to be apart of the industry!
Sarah Taylor
Excellent, honest film about the modeling world
heather-orr8815 April 2020
As a mid-sized model, I was absolutely delighted to see this film with some very recognizable faces of the plus-sized modeling world - a world that celebrates all shapes and sizes! Thank you to the cast and filmmakers.
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