THIN documentary review

Eryn Yuasa

Language Arts II

Menemac

Thin (2006) is one of those remarkably rare unrestrained documentaries that focused on a subject that is very relevant to problems that are happening today: eating disorders. Director Lauren Greenfield gave viewers footage of the story following 4 women who suffer from eating disorders and their stories while they’re in the Renfrew Center in Florida, a treatment facility.  The film does a fantastic job at showing what treatment truly is like, without sugar coating anything. Thin won the 2006 Documentary Grand Jury prize at the Boston Independent film festival, and also was nominated for an International Documentary Association Award.

The main women who the film is focused on really help the storyline presented by being completely honest and open with their feelings. They share exactly why they ended up in treatment, how being at the center feels for them, and the film follows up what’s happened to their lives after they have been released from the center. Because of the severe nature of the issue, I strongly recommend Thin to be not for younger viewers. There is no rating for this film.  

If you’re looking for a sincerely raw take of the problem that millions of Americans across the country are facing, than this is the film for you. It’s a documentary that captures interest in the beginning, and then keeps it all the way through the end, as you’re anxious to see what happens to these women after recovery. 7 out of 10 star