Fat Girl

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Fat Girl

2001

1h 26m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Anaïs is twelve and bears the weight of the world on her shoulders. She watches her older sister, Elena, whom she both loves and hates. Elena is fifteen and devilishly beautiful. Neither more futile, nor more stupid than her younger sister, she cannot understand that she is merely an object of desire. And, as such, she can only be taken. Or had. Indeed, this is the subject: a girl's loss of virginity. And, that summer, it opens a door to tragedy.

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Critics Consensus

The controversial Fat Girl is an unflinchingly harsh but powerful look at female adolescence.

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Alyx Vesey

Bitch Media

While hardly enamored with Fat Girl, I was fine with it until its conclusion.

Jan 5, 2021

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Chicago Reader

[Features a] shocking, ambiguous ending.

Apr 11, 2008

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Geoff Pevere

Toronto Star

Bold but unrelenting in its depiction of both physical and emotional aggression, Fat Girl will be bracing for those open to its challenges and brutal for those who aren't.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 24, 2003

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B. Ruby Rich

The Nation

From its tranquil beginning to its shocking finish, Fat Girl shows Breillat to be a world-class artist working at the top of her form -- even when the lessons of gender, sexuality and social custom may be hard to swallow.

Feb 28, 2020

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Steve Erickson

Nashville Scene

Far from being a mere provocateur (although she certainly is one), Breillat shines a light on the way everyday sexism degrades all concerned.

Oct 24, 2018

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Lindsay Pugh

Woman in Revolt

I first saw this movie when I was 13 years old and it made me want to take a vow of celibacy. It is brutal and if seen at a formative age, inescapable.

Oct 24, 2018

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Anthony

This so called art film is just a lot of nothing. Long sequences of nothing such as the main character swimming back and forth kissing the steps of the pool. A scene where they are just eating sandwiches lasts forever. The film pacing is so slow that it feels much longer than it actually is. It was a completely miserable experience from start to finish. It’s truly an awful movie. One of the worst I’ve had to endure. Shout out to my gf for showing me this!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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Audience Member

It was something for sure, do I recommended it? no, it was gross and french.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

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Art B

A serious and intense movie, not designed for escape or audience comfort, with excellent acting and directing. It has lighter moments but is ultimately disturbing. To me if felt true and authentic, and thus us recommended to those who are ok with serious but well crafted films without heroes, special effects or cheerful endings.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

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Audience Member

One of the worst movies I’ve ever seen.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/23

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Noel P

Always refreshing to see the French ride that line (and sometimes pass it). Really enjoyed it when the film provides those long scenes where the two lead actresses can act and have their very real moments together as sisters. That ending was also one of the most shocking and unexpected endings I've seen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/27/22

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Audience Member

Child pornography as art the way on the French can justify. Hideous and exploitive with zero commentary or meaning.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Catherine Breillat

Director

Anais Reboux

Anaïs Pingot

Roxane Mesquida

Elena

Arsinée Khanjian

Mother

Romain Goupil

Father

Laura Betti

Fernando's Mother

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Synopsis

Anaïs is twelve and bears the weight of the world on her shoulders. She watches her older sister, Elena, whom she both loves and hates. Elena is fifteen and devilishly beautiful. Neither more futile, nor more stupid than her younger sister, she cannot understand that she is merely an object of desire. And, as such, she can only be taken. Or had. Indeed, this is the subject: a girl's loss of virginity. And, that summer, it opens a door to tragedy.

Director: Catherine Breillat
Screenwriter: Catherine Breillat
Distributor: Cowboy Pictures, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Immagine e Cinema, Centre National de la Cinematographie, Canal+, CB (Catherine Breillat) Films, Urania Pictures S.r.l., Flach Film, arte France Cinéma
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 21, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $724.1K
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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