A couple of nights ago, I caught actor Matthew McConaughey’s appearance on David Letterman’s talk show. Among the discussion topics was that of his extreme weight loss for a film role in which he played someone with HIV.
This is not a new phenomenon in Hollywood. We’ve repeatedly seen actors and actresses who, in the name of playing a specific character, lose (or gain) a significant amount of weight. Robert DeNiro (“Raging Bull”), Natalie Portman (“Black Swan”) and Charlize Theron (“Monster”) are a few examples.
And we’ve seen how their efforts have been rewarded through Academy Awards, acclaim and further film projects. The message, a disturbing one, especially for those of us with eating disorder and body image issues, seems to be this: do whatever it takes, even manipulating your body and health, for that prize!
I understand that acting requires dedication. I was a theatre major myself. You need a certain amount of discipline and hard work to be convincing in a particular role. But, my concern, however bias it may be, is that, once again, society/culture/Hollywood is rewarding the wrong thing. Once again, image seems to be king, in spite of the health risks.
Years ago, actor Christian Bale received attention for his dramatic weight loss for his role in The Machinist. According to an article, written by Jessica Elliott, Bale was 6' exactly and weighed 185 pounds. From there, however, he embarked on his 63 pound weight loss. This is what he had to say about it:
"I had what could be called a kind of stupid feeling of invincibility, like, 'Oh I can do it. I can manage it.' "
How many of us with disordered eating issues, in reaction to this statement, have red flags going up RIGHT NOW?
Yeah.
And yes, I can understand the need, in the name of a role, to achieve authenticity. This also is the motivation for McConaughey, losing 30 pounds to portray a man stricken with HIV. But it’s a game of Russian Roulette. This behavior, in some way, affects a person mentally; there’s an unhealthy, untrue nature to it. For instance, Bale, ever the “consummate, dedicated” actor, went further. Originally, he was striving to weigh around 145. But he believed he could do still more in pursuit of his goal. Elliott’s article goes on to say…
“…because Bale saw that he was able to handle his weight loss without much problem, that he would go ahead and lose another 20 pounds, bringing him down to the weight we see in the movie at 121 - 122. Bale is documented as stating, ‘But I was intrigued by a perverse nature of mine just to see if I can go beyond what I've been told is actually safe and OK, and see if I could push the limits.’ It is said that Bale wanted to lost another 20 pounds even after reaching 121!... Bale has said that his severe weight loss did create a change in his mood and emotions. He felt very ‘serene and calm’ for the majority of the filming for The Machinist. It didn't seem to create much problem for him until he began to bulk up for the role of Batman in Batman Begins. He gained a shocking 100 pounds within the span of five months! He was definitely was adding a lot of stress on his body and his heart…”
And that’s part of the harm and danger of the behavior and the celebrated message of it. Risking physical health, dramatically manipulating one’s body, is to be heralded with accolades, awards and attention?
Seeing McConaughey on Letterman the other night sparked a concern, as he also mentioned that his extreme weight loss heightened his senses, giving him a high. This is a dangerous message to put out there, especially for those of us touched by anorexia and the so-called “high” achieved from starving.
It’s troubling.
Again, I know I have a bias here. But I am concerned by the power image holds. God tells us to be conformed to only His God-given Image, and not by anything- or anyone else:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:2
Whether or not, as individuals, we’re vulnerable to eating disorders, it does seem we are subject to image. There’s where the caution, the awareness and the need for our God-given identities must reside and thrive. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.
Let’s hope we can exalt health
instead of emaciation, for whatever purpose, even in the name of a coveted role.
I pray we can.
Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse
A couple of nights ago, I caught actor Matthew McConaughey’s appearance on David Letterman’s talk show. Among the discussion topics was that of his extreme weight loss for a film role in which he played someone with HIV.
This is not a new phenomenon in Hollywood. We’ve repeatedly seen actors and actresses who, in the name of playing a specific character, lose (or gain) a significant amount of weight. Robert DeNiro (“Raging Bull”), Natalie Portman (“Black Swan”) and Charlize Theron (“Monster”) are a few examples.
And we’ve seen how their efforts have been rewarded through Academy Awards, acclaim and further film projects. The message, a disturbing one, especially for those of us with eating disorder and body image issues, seems to be this: do whatever it takes, even manipulating your body and health, for that prize!
I understand that acting requires dedication. I was a theatre major myself. You need a certain amount of discipline and hard work to be convincing in a particular role. But, my concern, however bias it may be, is that, once again, society/culture/Hollywood is rewarding the wrong thing. Once again, image seems to be king, in spite of the health risks.
Years ago, actor Christian Bale received attention for his dramatic weight loss for his role in The Machinist. According to an article, written by Jessica Elliott, Bale was 6' exactly and weighed 185 pounds. From there, however, he embarked on his 63 pound weight loss. This is what he had to say about it:
"I had what could be called a kind of stupid feeling of invincibility, like, 'Oh I can do it. I can manage it.' "
How many of us with disordered eating issues, in reaction to this statement, have red flags going up RIGHT NOW?
Yeah.
And yes, I can understand the need, in the name of a role, to achieve authenticity. This also is the motivation for McConaughey, losing 30 pounds to portray a man stricken with HIV. But it’s a game of Russian Roulette. This behavior, in some way, affects a person mentally; there’s an unhealthy, untrue nature to it. For instance, Bale, ever the “consummate, dedicated” actor, went further. Originally, he was striving to weigh around 145. But he believed he could do still more in pursuit of his goal. Elliott’s article goes on to say…
“…because Bale saw that he was able to handle his weight loss without much problem, that he would go ahead and lose another 20 pounds, bringing him down to the weight we see in the movie at 121 - 122. Bale is documented as stating, ‘But I was intrigued by a perverse nature of mine just to see if I can go beyond what I've been told is actually safe and OK, and see if I could push the limits.’ It is said that Bale wanted to lost another 20 pounds even after reaching 121!... Bale has said that his severe weight loss did create a change in his mood and emotions. He felt very ‘serene and calm’ for the majority of the filming for The Machinist. It didn't seem to create much problem for him until he began to bulk up for the role of Batman in Batman Begins. He gained a shocking 100 pounds within the span of five months! He was definitely was adding a lot of stress on his body and his heart…”
And that’s part of the harm and danger of the behavior and the celebrated message of it. Risking physical health, dramatically manipulating one’s body, is to be heralded with accolades, awards and attention?
Seeing McConaughey on Letterman the other night sparked a concern, as he also mentioned that his extreme weight loss heightened his senses, giving him a high. This is a dangerous message to put out there, especially for those of us touched by anorexia and the so-called “high” achieved from starving.
It’s troubling.
Again, I know I have a bias here. But I am concerned by the power image holds. God tells us to be conformed to only His God-given Image, and not by anything- or anyone else:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:2
Whether or not, as individuals, we’re vulnerable to eating disorders, it does seem we are subject to image. There’s where the caution, the awareness and the need for our God-given identities must reside and thrive. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.
Let’s hope we can exalt health instead of emaciation, for whatever purpose, even in the name of a coveted role.
I pray we can.
Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse
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