To The Bone…What’s The Big Deal?

For a full discussion of this topic and much more, check out the podcast above or search ‘Netflix and Grill’ wherever you get your podcasts.

There is an old saying that goes ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words said in a film better be politically correct or so help you god the internet will tear you apart.’

I’m paraphrasing of course, but you get the gist. In a world full of actual problems, it seems we love nothing more than fixating on anything or anyone that dares to step out of line creatively and address the uncomfortable. In this case, that thing is the Netflix original film, To The Bone.

To The Bone stars top notch actress Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves — the guy from the Sad Keanu memes. It follows the story of Ellen, as she struggles with anorexia and enters a group home in an attempt to recover. It is by no means a light hearted romp, and as someone who dealt with a serious eating disorder in their teen years, it was a stark reminder of some tough times. But whilst not perfect, the film struck me as very honest and thoughtful in its dealing with a pretty sensitive subject matter.

So then, you can imagine my surprise when I jumped online and discovered the intense anger it seemed to provoke in some people.

In this day and age, where an opinion can be shared with the click of a keyboard and zero accountability, there is a tendency to take offence first and ask questions later. Recreational outrage is more popular than lip fillers, and anything mildly left of centre is fodder for the ultra sensitive masses.

Here’s my theory on why. I feel like we maxed out on pushing boundaries in the nineties and now we’ve gone into our shell. Somewhere between Eminem waving a chainsaw around onstage and Bill Clinton getting the world’s most controversial blow job, we all freaked and decided post 2000 was when we would reign it in and go full Ned Flanders. As a result, we have created a culture where there is a kneejerk response towards hysteria.

The online feedback aimed at To The Bone is typical of this attitude. And all this attitude does is clamp down on creativity and draw emotionally charged battle lines amongst us all. I would argue that the point of cinema is to reflect our world back to us and comment on our state of affairs. How can this be achieved if so much of the human experience is off limits?

From what I can tell, the bulk of the controversy facing To The Bone seems to stem from a concern that it could have a negative effect on vulnerable audiences. A rosy sentiment, but ultimately one that is deeply flawed. It basically suggests that no film containing this kind of material can ever be made, regardless of its value to those in need.

To The Bone depicts the grim reality of anorexia in no uncertain terms. From the scene where a secret bag of purged vomit is discovered, to shots of Ellen’s spine, which is grotesquely bruised from obsessive exercise, the grisly day to day of an eating disorder is portrayed in unflinching detail.

The team behind To The Bone are clearly well informed and have made a genuine attempt at demystifying what is a very complicated and confusing area of mental health. As such, the mind boggles at what could possibly be negative about representing this onscreen and providing a voice to the real life Ellens of the world, as well as those supporting them.

With regard to vulnerable audiences, let me tell you something that I know from personal experience. People who are going to have an eating disorder don’t need help from a movie to have an eating disorder. Unfortunately, that part figures itself out all on it’s own. These at risk audience members at the centre of the issue have a predisposition that makes them vulnerable in the first place, and no film is good enough to manifest a psychological condition that didn’t exist already.

For my second nineties reference of this article, allow me to take you back to when Quentin Tarantino had to fend off nonstop claims that the violence in his movies was somehow responsible for mass shootings. I call bullshit on that, the same way I also call bullshit on accusations that To The Bone is somehow irresponsible. Filmmakers do not have a responsibility to make sure that their movie isn’t upsetting to every person on planet earth. If you are going to be affected in a negative way, then perhaps the film isn’t for you. Select a different one. The Netflix catalogue is enormous.

What this all really comes down to is a desperate need for recalibration in the way we judge content. Storytellers must be granted the space to tell stories. And if the storytelling is poorly executed or in bad taste, by all means, let’s be critical. But if the criticism is simply borne out of our collective squeamishness, then I seriously think we need to pump the brakes. Because without innovative storytelling commenting on the world around us, one of our most universal forms of communication is compromised.

To The Bone isn’t for everyone, nor is it Citizen Kane. But the backlash it has received purely on the basis of existing is a good example of our increasingly backwards approach to media. Even if this movie was wiped off the face of the earth, eating disorders would still exist. But in being made, To The Bone offers the possibility that they may be better understood and more out in the open.

For more super smart opinions and also funny jokes check out Netflix and Grill.