Fat | 2013 TIFF Review

The Unbearable Heaviness of Mark Phinney and His Feature Debut

The struggle of “living large” is an exhausted subject of reality television, but truly tapping into the debilitating depression symptomatic of food addiction does not sell as entertainment. Popular media concerning obesity is instead centered on dramatized weight-loss success stories and eat-this-not-that wisdom. With an emphasis on recovery or fast-food culture evils, the shaky voice of self-destruction has largely been quieted. Breaking the mold, the feature directorial debut from Mark Phinney, simply titled Fat, has a pseudo-documentary aesthetic resembling this familiar genre, but is guided by a fearlessness that appears entirely foreign. Born from autobiographical essays, the soul-bearing and often unflattering portrait of intimate fears and humiliation is refreshing, as it asks for understanding rather than sympathy.

As a writer and director, Phinney has proven his readiness to expose personal indignities, but has seemingly withdrawn himself from the narrative. The onscreen character battling obesity is named Ken and though Phinney has acted various small-scale roles, Melvin Rodriquez (from NBC’s Community, Officer Martinez in Little Miss Sunshine) was cast as the protagonist. This is worth a mention only because Mark Phinney is first and foremost a comedian. Though Rodriquez gives a daring and heartbreakingly authentic performance, the intended dark humor is sometimes lost in translation. Phinney perhaps strayed away from his wildly amusing satirical style so discomfiting moments may build and devastate, though his personality, if unrestrained, would likely yield a more watchable film.

This Kickstarter funded, low-fi indie stays faithful to its roots, incorporating Boston-based bands The Michael J. Epstien Library, Mel Lederman, Eldrige Rodriguez, Stereo Telescope, and The Fagettes. The music was clearly chosen with more than just city-love in mind, but any breaks in the perfectly suited soundtrack amplify an even more stirring reverberation of heavy breathing.

Ken is first introduced waking in the morning with a respiratory mask for sleep apnea, next to a nightstand cluttered with orange pill bottles. The insulin dependent diabetic also suffers from hypertension, but physical aliments are only part of it. Sexual rejection, career failures, severe anger and depression – none of which makes for enjoyable viewing, but Fat remains a very human and enlightening addition to the indie film sphere.

Reviewed at the 2013 Toronto Int. Film Festival on September 7th – Discovery Programme
85 Mins.