Lbs is a film that was shot between 2001 and 2003 but is only getting its DVD release in January 2011. It stars Carmine Famigiletti as Neil Perota and was directed by Matthew Bonifacio. The two met on the set of Malcolm X and became fast friends.
While it has elements of both comedy and drama, I would classify this film as a 'fable'. It's sort of like Rocky but the arena is not boxing but rather 'food'. The story centers on Neil who lives in Brooklyn with his parents and is a food addict. He's saved up some money working part-time as a school bus driver for his father's company. Despite resolving to lose weight and trying to go on a diet, he invariably fails and ends up in the local pizza joint, stuffing his face. His brother-in-law mocks him at his sister's wedding and he reaches a low point where he simply doesn't know how he's going to overcome his addiction.
Finally, Neil decides to start a new life, moves to Schoharie County in upstate New York where he purchases two run-down trailers with his savings, out in the woods (a la Thoreau's Walden Pond). His friend, Sacco, a drug addict, helps him move but they end up arguing and Sacco splits. At first, Neil can't help but run to fast food outlets where he continues the same eating habits as before. He meets a woman, Lara (excellently played by Miriam Shor), who lives nearby who appears to be splitting up with her husband. One day, she visits Neil at the trailer and has sex with him. When he tries to follow up with Lara, he discovers that she's back with her husband so he then embraces his solitary life completely. Neil starts exercising and eating right and by the time he returns to Brooklyn, he loses almost 200 lbs. What's remarkable is that Famigiletti actually lost the weight during the filming which lasted over a period of 27 months. He really looks fantastic in contrast to the man we meet at the beginning of the film.
Once back in Brooklyn, Neil's family and friends hardly recognize him. He looks up a waitress he used to have a crush on and takes her out on a date but walks out on her after she arrogantly refers to an overweight man in the restaurant as "disgusting". Neil finally runs into Sacco who is emaciated due to his drug addiction. Sacco's character is contrasted with Neil, suggesting that some addictions will lead to a point where a person cannot pull himself back. Neil, on the other hand, is someone who proved that overcoming a serious addiction, can be done.
Lbs is both an inspirational and cautionary tale. Despite the fact that Neil was successful in taking off the lbs, at the end of the film he gives into temptation and starts putting the lbs on back again. This is what happened to Famigiletti in real life. He's still struggling with weight issues, despite accomplishing so much during the creation of this film.
Lbs has a collection of endearing characters including the aforementioned Lara as well as Lee Hawkins (played by a very convincing, folksy Eric Leffler), the man who sells Neil the trailers and the property he lives on during his sojourn in the wilderness. Not all the other characters are as well developed and Neil's mother seems more like a caricature of an overbearing Italian mother than a real-life person. The story is also sketchy in spots, especially when Neil returns to Brooklyn (does this guy ever think of getting a job?)
Matthew Bonifacio has done an excellent job as a first time director, extracting sure-fire performances from a mixed cast of experienced and non-experienced actors. I'm told the film has been shown to groups interested in promoting ways to end obesity in America--that seems to be a very good thing! Famigiletti's transformation is certainly a sight to behold!
While it has elements of both comedy and drama, I would classify this film as a 'fable'. It's sort of like Rocky but the arena is not boxing but rather 'food'. The story centers on Neil who lives in Brooklyn with his parents and is a food addict. He's saved up some money working part-time as a school bus driver for his father's company. Despite resolving to lose weight and trying to go on a diet, he invariably fails and ends up in the local pizza joint, stuffing his face. His brother-in-law mocks him at his sister's wedding and he reaches a low point where he simply doesn't know how he's going to overcome his addiction.
Finally, Neil decides to start a new life, moves to Schoharie County in upstate New York where he purchases two run-down trailers with his savings, out in the woods (a la Thoreau's Walden Pond). His friend, Sacco, a drug addict, helps him move but they end up arguing and Sacco splits. At first, Neil can't help but run to fast food outlets where he continues the same eating habits as before. He meets a woman, Lara (excellently played by Miriam Shor), who lives nearby who appears to be splitting up with her husband. One day, she visits Neil at the trailer and has sex with him. When he tries to follow up with Lara, he discovers that she's back with her husband so he then embraces his solitary life completely. Neil starts exercising and eating right and by the time he returns to Brooklyn, he loses almost 200 lbs. What's remarkable is that Famigiletti actually lost the weight during the filming which lasted over a period of 27 months. He really looks fantastic in contrast to the man we meet at the beginning of the film.
Once back in Brooklyn, Neil's family and friends hardly recognize him. He looks up a waitress he used to have a crush on and takes her out on a date but walks out on her after she arrogantly refers to an overweight man in the restaurant as "disgusting". Neil finally runs into Sacco who is emaciated due to his drug addiction. Sacco's character is contrasted with Neil, suggesting that some addictions will lead to a point where a person cannot pull himself back. Neil, on the other hand, is someone who proved that overcoming a serious addiction, can be done.
Lbs is both an inspirational and cautionary tale. Despite the fact that Neil was successful in taking off the lbs, at the end of the film he gives into temptation and starts putting the lbs on back again. This is what happened to Famigiletti in real life. He's still struggling with weight issues, despite accomplishing so much during the creation of this film.
Lbs has a collection of endearing characters including the aforementioned Lara as well as Lee Hawkins (played by a very convincing, folksy Eric Leffler), the man who sells Neil the trailers and the property he lives on during his sojourn in the wilderness. Not all the other characters are as well developed and Neil's mother seems more like a caricature of an overbearing Italian mother than a real-life person. The story is also sketchy in spots, especially when Neil returns to Brooklyn (does this guy ever think of getting a job?)
Matthew Bonifacio has done an excellent job as a first time director, extracting sure-fire performances from a mixed cast of experienced and non-experienced actors. I'm told the film has been shown to groups interested in promoting ways to end obesity in America--that seems to be a very good thing! Famigiletti's transformation is certainly a sight to behold!
