Perfect Body is a film I've watched several times and will probably watch many times more. It's very different from most of the other films I love and can't quite put my finger on why I like this as much as I do. I can understand why it was never a big film and why so many people have never even heard of it, but I would like to share my feelings of it in case there are others here who would enjoy it as much as I do.

--- Plot ---

Andie Bradley is a talented gymnast. She's offered a chance to train with David Blair, a coach who's trained several girls to Olympic levels. On her first day, he tells her she needs to lose weight if she's to have a shot at the Olympics. The movie follows her as she tries to achieve the perfect body and ends up developing anorexia. It shows her developing the eating disorder and how it affects her relationships with her parents, her boyfriend, her friends and how it affects her life and her gymnastics.

--- Characters ---

The characters are very well written and extremely believable. It's easy to understand the motivations behind each of their actions as the story progresses. The characters are varied and very well acted.

The main characters are:

Andie.
Andie's parents who are trying to support her dream and are scared by her developing problems.
David Blair, the coach who will drive his gymnasts as hard as possible to get them to achieve as much as possible.
Holly, Andie's best friend.
Josh, Andie's boyfriend who she's pushing away because of her anorexia and her training.
Leslie Reynalds, a bulimic gymnast who's already medalled in the Olympics.

--- The gymnastics ---

The film is about a gymnast so, obviously, there is a lot of gymnastics involved. The actresses for Andie and Leslie are both gymnasts, so they were able to do some of the gymnastics themselves. There were also doubles to do the more difficult moves.

I thought the gymnastics were handled extremely well. Watching it, I can't tell where the cuts are between the actresses and the body doubles.

I enjoy watching gymnastics and so I liked having this in here. You never sit and watch a whole routine, but there and plenty of short sequences expertly choreographed and directed.

--- As a warning against anorexia ---

I don't think this film really works as a warning. Because the purpose of the film is to tell a story that people want to watch, the movie doesn't mention some of the more gruesome physical side-affects of anorexia and focuses on the emotional affects. It would be easy for people who don't understand eating disorders to watch and think that they wouldn't act in that way.

Another reason it doesn't work as a warning is the fact that, obviously, they couldn't starve the actress to make a film. This means she's just as slender and beautiful at the end as she was at the start. They did a great job with make-up, baggy clothes and suchlike, but they couldn't change the fact she still looked healthy at the end of the film.

--- As a help for anorexics ---

Those suffering eating disorders won't learn anything from this film that they don't already know, but the film is pretty honest about some of the affects. I think those who have anorexia or other eating disorders might be able to watch this film and take comfort in the fact that other people feel the same way I do.

I know several ED sufferers who love this film. I haven't asked them why it appeals to them, but I would assume it has something to do with liking to feel that they're not alone.

--- Special features ---

I only mention this because otherwise someone will comment about the fact I haven't mentioned them. There are none. The DVD I own just contains the film with no special features whatsoever.

--- Soundtrack ---

I didn't really pay attention to the soundtrack the first few times I watched this film. That's probably a good thing, because it means I didn't notice songs as sounding out of place. Having thought about it afterwards, there are a couple of songs I really enjoy. The music fits the feel of the movie perfectly and links to Andie's state of mind. I don't think the soundtrack is available as a CD.

The songs listed as the soundtrack are "State of Mind" by Merril Bainbridge, "Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, and "Big Time" by Peter Gabriel. I think the first two songs fit brilliantly where they're used in the movie.

--- Would I recommend it? ---

Well, I love this film, but I know there are plenty of people who it wouldn't suit. If you like guns and explosions, you're looking in the wrong place. This is an emotional, character-driven story dealing with difficult issues. If you think that describes the sort of films you enjoy, then give it a try.

I would definitely recommend it to eating disorder sufferers, but that doesn't stop it appealing to those who don't have any problems.

I think the acting is good, the story is strong and the characterisation is great.

Hmm, maybe I'll go watch it again.