To the bone: A journey with an anorexic

By: Nazia Adnin

​The opening scene of “To the bone” gives me chills as the scene depicts two anorexics or stick figures walking down a gloomy hall way which metaphorically demonstrates their uncertain future. The movie takes an honest insight into the world of anorexics. Netflix produced drama written and directed by Marti Noxon was released worldwide on 24th of July 2017. Earlier, film premiered in a competition at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2017, as a contender in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.

​The film tells story of Ellen (Lily Collins) who has been suffering from eating disorder and has been to several treatment centers. The film takes us to a journey with her to the fifth and final in patient experience. Ellen has a troubled family life with her parents being divorced and her mother turned out to be lesbian. Also, her father doesn’t want to take responsibility during her struggle with anorexia. She however, gets support from her step-mother and half sister. Ellen’s step mother Susan (Carrie Preston) sets her up with a specialist Dr. Beckham (Keanu Reeves). Dr. William insists Ellen to join his in patient program which she does not want to try. On the other hand, Ellen’s sister (Liana Liberto) makes her to change her mind. Ellen moves into the house with 6 other patients where Luke (Alex Sharp) is the only male patient. Ellen bonds with everybody in the house and develops a romantic relation with Luke. However, Ellen keeps losing weights and struggles to feel better. When one of the residents of the house miscarried her baby, Ellen runs away and moves in with her mother in Arizona. Her mother confesses for the postpartum depression she had after Ellen’s birth. Ellen goes on a walk at night and passes out for her weakness. Being hallucinated she sees herself kissing Luke who shows her nearly dead body. After walking up she decides to return home and finish the inpatient program. 

​This film is not so entertaining but delivers a painful insight in relatively fresh narrative way. Lily Collins is phenomenal as Ellen. She looked like a complete walking skeleton for make-up and VFXS. The movie has some great dialogues which encourage the audience to change their outlook on life. The film’s strongest scene which takes place in Los Angeles museum’s art rain room reminds us, how blissful it is to be alive! 

​I would give this film 2.5 out of 5.