Whole (2003) User Reviews

worthwhile for those who are game

[sore_throat · 9/10 · 16 November 2004]

I've seen a lot of documentaries, and this film is up there in terms of unique, bizarre subject matter. I find it to be fascinating; I really can't think of another movie like it.

The low budget helps the overall feel because it adds to the realism. The attitude is neutral, neither viewing the subjects as freaks nor as victims, and is another asset. All sides get a voice, and the viewer gets a good perspective.

This film is both informative and moving. All in all, an excellent watch for those who aren't turned off by the topic.

Hopefully the director will make more stuff this distinct.

Gutwrenching and disturbing, but ultimately touching and thought-provoking

[looneyfarm · 9/10 · 26 January 2005]

It's long I've been wanting to see this documentary, and now that I've seen it, I can gladly say it exceeded my high expectations. Whole truly is a documentary that's disturbing, bizarre, but also touching, profound and even at times funny.

You could see Whole as an antidote to all the worthless plastic surgery shows every other TV program seems to be these days. The people interviewed in this film -- just like all who drop by at a plastic surgeon -- have an ideal image of themselves, and want to realise it. But these people aren't complaining about nose that's too big or breasts that are too small, they have been miserable for their entire life just because they feel they have one limb too much. Call that superficial?

Tragic thing about this is that they cannot get professional help for this. Pathological desire to amputate oneself isn't widely accepted as a disease so far, and healthy-limb removal is out of the question in the medical world. From the documentary Whole we learn that not only this leads to excessive depression among wannabes, but ultimately to the act of self-mutilation (although wannabes themselves don't see this as "mutilation," but more like "relief"). In the movie, we meet a man who shot off his leg using a shotgun. We hear how one sought professional amputation from Mexico but died from complications following surgery. This give rise to a question: should these completely sane people be able to remove their limbs by professional doctors if they want? Or are they just plain sick?

Whole doesn't provide concrete answers, and maybe that's why it is so effective. It doesn't judge wannabes and certainly doesn't approach them sentimentally. Melody Gilbert has wonderfully turned a subject matter that's normally fodder for sensationalist journalism into a thought-provoking, profound journey to the world of medical avant-garde. Highly recommended.

Tough to watch...for so many reasons.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 17 May 2013]

"Whole" is a documentary about some very strange people who see their identity as a disabled person missing a limb. The problem is, they HAVE working limbs! So, to fit this hidden sense of self, they either bind up their limbs or destroy their limbs so that doctors are forced to amputate! The film itself appears to have been made on a shoestring budget. This isn't a complaint--the filmmakers did what they could afford to do. Plus, they traveled about the globe to interview folks and I appreciate that. But, as far as the look of the film goes, it appears to have been filmed on a home video or digital video camera and the production values are rather limited.

I think my reaction is different from other viewers for one major reason. I have two daughters with ACTUAL physical disabilities and so as I watched the folks in "Whole" whine about how they are trapped in their perfectly functional bodies. I also wonder if these same folks take parking spaces, disability payments and take up other resources they have no right to have. I also was a bit irked by a psychiatrist who said that 'this does not make them crazy'. Well, yes, it DOES. At the very least, they have some sort of Identity Disorder or Personality Disorder (such as Histrionic--with a sick need to be noticed no matter the cost).

So is it worth seeing? Well, it is oddly fascinating but also a little of this goes a long way. Fortunately, it is short. But, if you have a REAL disability or have family or friends struggling with one, it's probably a film to skip. Strange but skippable.

One Of The Most Fascinating Documentaries Ever

[loganx-2 · 9/10 · 12 June 2008]

One of the most fascinating documentaries I have ever seen. Kind of changed the way I looked at mental illness in general, not just as a closed off brotherhood of a few bad eggs, but bizarre patterns that occur across history and geography, and striking seemingly at random.

"Whole" is a documentary about an extremely rare mental disorder, where men and women from different countries and economic backgrounds all have a tremendous desire to amputate one or more of their limbs. Some are faking(tying an arm behind their back just to get the feel), some have done it themselves, and others are still waiting for their insurance to clear so they can try to get it done in hospitals. The idea of cutting a part of yourself off, to me seems so anti-evolutionary and mal-adaptive, but the heart/mind wants what it wants. It's just strange to watch otherwise completely normal seeming people who just feel as if there lives would be improved, saved, even vindicated, if only they were a few limbs the lesser. Fascinating film about mental disorder, and what it means to be a "whole" and complete human being. Recommend | add comment

Game-it a life!

[jonnidepp87 · 4/10 · 22 September 2009]

It cool abrupt film, all is simply remarkable, actors, people and all. Very actual in my opinion themes. It agree with above told Whole" is a documentary about an extremely rare mental disorder, where men and women from different countries and economic backgrounds all have a tremendous desire to amputate one or more of their limbs. Some are faking(tying an arm behind their back just to get the feel), some have done it themselves, and others are still waiting for their insurance to clear so they can try to get it done in hospitals. The idea of cutting a part of yourself off, to me seems so anti-evolutionary and mal-adaptive, but the heart/mind wants what it wants. It's just strange to watch otherwise completely normal seeming people who just feel as if there lives would be improved, saved, even vindicated, if only they were a few limbs the lesser. Fascinating film about mental disorder, and what it means to be a "whole" and complete human being. Recommend | add commen

One of the best documentaries of the 00s

[benkees · 10/10 · 27 October 2010]

An extremely thought provoking look at human beings that wish to live without one or more of their natural, healthy limbs attached to their bodies.

The best reason to watch this film and more importantly, the best reason to show it to others is exemplified in my own reaction. I procured the film with the expectation to see some crazy people and to study the freaky and clearly unhealthy desire for self amputation. I expected their beliefs to be governed by reactions to terrible childhoods or by simple self absorbed obsession. What we as an audience receive is a profound study of what human identity is. It shows us how important it is to bring forward issues affecting our ability to live comfortably within our identities that exist within a culture and opens up a discourse regarding what restrictions we as a ruling majority of normal people place on others without even realizing. To what extent can we judge the right and wrong of personal identity?

This documentary is about many things, from the intensely personal and moving to the most grand cultural expectations. It will get you thinking. I can't recommend it enough.