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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
don't offer these women a cherry pie!, October 26, 2000
One has to wonder about Henry Jaglom's mother, when he dedicates a film about women suffering from eating disorders to her. This is one of Jaglom's more successful efforts since there is some dramatic conflict amongst the cinema verite talkfest that is his trademark. One might even mistake this film as a documentary with all the to-the-camera discourse. Otherwise his camera is thankfully still, aided by the excuse of a Frenchwoman making a documentary at an exclusively female (and enormously populated) birthday party. Maybe it's a very "L.A." thing but it's shocking how so many beautiful women have food issues, and the association they make with food and sex, and food and love, makes for a compelling (for Jaglom) social study. He begins uncertainly, as the women gather. Jaglom gets a little carried away with cross-cutting, and there is a definite lesbian subtext which turns out to be misleading. But as the film develops our initial judgment of the women presented, as shallow and stupid gives way to depths of feeling and marvel at the openness and emotional accessibility of the female species. As the eldest of the group and the mother of Helene (Lisa Richards), who resides in the house where the celebrations occur, Frances Bergen represents the voice of reason and the sounding board for the confessions. Jaglom cleverly maintains our empathy for her, aided by Bergen's wonderful naturalness, even when her reaction to news of an infidelity defines the survival strategies of women of her generation. In spite of the heaviness of the subject, there is much humour to be found, partly from the women's own insight into their behaviour, and also from the idea of having Helene seek out the mistress under the guise of mingling. Richards' performance improves considerably after she stops pecking. As her predatory best friend, Gwen Welles adds some amusing spite to the proceedings. Her demonstration of the use of a present of anger-releasing padded poles gets a big laugh. It's no surprise to learn of Welles' bulimia since she looks anorexic, and she is about the only one who doesn't seem to think they are "fat". When the birthday cake is cut, no-one wants to eat it. Since the cast is so large some actors get lost in the mosaic, but mention should be made of Toni Basil in Carmen Miranda get-up as an actress quitting her agent ("If Michael Jackson can fire his father ..."); Aloma Ichinose who has a great riff about smoking; and Mary Crosby looking like a fawn and being very I-shot-JR in a bathroom confrontation. I particularly liked the line "I'm looking for a man who can excite me as much as a baked potato".
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4 1/2 stars: What Women Think About Food, March 5, 2001
This low budget, thoroughly entertaining look at a group of women gathering for a luncheon party is a rare critique of how women have come to be obsessed with food. Quasi-documentary in form, actresses in this film seems to teeter between acting and reality. Certainly many lines are blurred, and the result is fascinating. While something of a "chick flick", men will come away from this film with plenty to think about. Whole film is a real conversation-starter, highly amusing and never gets too heavy. Excellent and very unique in subject matter. Amazing how seldom we see people eating and enjoying their food in movies, yet it is such an important part of our lives. Hollywood sense of beauty is blasted between the lines. Only aspect I objected to was the lack of polish in the production itself. It could have been visually smoother in parts. But Jaglom films always look like this, I suppose. Still a winner.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Henry Jaglom's 'Eating' is a delectable treat!, October 17, 2008
Henry Jaglom's `Eating: A Very Serious Comedy About Women And Food' will always have a special place in my heart. When I was in middle school, I discovered BRAVO, back when they were commercial free, and televised films in their entirety. I discovered many foreign and independent films that summer, including SWEPT AWAY (the original, not the Guy Ritchie disaster), LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, BARTON FINK, and last, but not least, this little masterpiece of Altman-esque cinema.
The film follows several women who attend a birthday party for one of their friends, who is turning fifty. Through random bits of conversation, you come to know each of them, as well as the things which make them tick, namely men and food. Most of the women at the party are weight conscious; some so much that they will not even eat a sliver of the birthday cake. Also attending the party is a lovely French woman, who is filming a documentary on women's attitudes towards food, among other issues.
The individual interviews reveal much about the women and are quite touching, as well as fascinating. I love Henry Jaglom's style. The random conversation, the lack of a particular plot, narrative, whatever is typical in Hollywood fare. In my opinion, it is one of the best films of the nineties, and though some of it is indeed dated, the issues are still relevant. Now, you'd probably have to be in a special sort of mood to watch a bunch of middle aged women talk for two hours about food. However, I found it to be hypnotic, hilarious, and unapologetically avant-garde. If you are looking for something unconventional, you can do no better than this film. Add it to your Netflix queue. It helped me to broaden my horizons as far as film goes, and for that, it gets five stars.
Eating is rated R for language, brief nudity, and adult themes. It is 110 minutes. Released by Paramount Pictures and Rainbow Films in 1990. Directed by Henry Jaglom. Starring Lisa Blake Richards, Frances Bergen, and Beth Grant.
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