Before and After (1979 TV Movie) User Reviews

So-So Movie

[laurnor-96816 · 5/10 · 24 June 2023]

I watched this movie on the night of its "world premiere" in the fall of 1979, when I was 15. And I stayed with it to its conclusion; there weren't many "quality" TV choices available back then. There's not much to say about the movie that hasn't already been mentioned in other reviews: Patty Duke plays a "fat", frumpy housewife who decides to lose weight. Along for the ride are her besties: a fat (but happy) one played by Conchata Ferrill, and a thin-but-still-wants-to-lose-more-weight one, played by Barbara Feldon. The trio go to restaurants AND to Weight-Watchers-like group meetings, called "Calorie Counters" here.

The storylines, such as they are, are quite predictable and require minimal effort and attention of the viewer. So I won't bother rehashing all of that. I DO, however, want to give special mention to the one Betty White scene: She plays a woman who leads the Calorie Counters group meeting. I laughed at this scene when I first saw the movie, and I laughed again when I dug up the scene on YouTube about four decades later!

If you happen to somehow find this movie, I recommend skipping most of it, but definitely check out the Betty White scene. There's a reason why she was regarded as the national treasure that she was!!

Awesome!

[littlecupcake512 · 3 July 2004]

I have seen many movies starring Patty Duke and this one was so different. I have seen this movie MANY, MANY times (and can recite the words to it from beginning to end), and learn something new each time. It is amazing to me that, because of the time period when it was written, although eating disorders existed, they were portrayed differently. In this movie, the words "eating disorder" were never even uttered, yet the message was clear. "Before and After" clearly portrayed the impact food and weight has on women -- even in 1979. It also showed how women can feel very comfortable or very uncomfortable with their size, and how that plays out in other areas of their life. All of the angles were right on the money -- from Marge to Carole to Penny -- each of those interpretations is extremely realistic. Extremely well done -- I just wish I knew what would have happened to Penny.

I loved this inspirational movie

[rachelpach · 10/10 · 22 September 2007]

I loved this movie so much I am trying to find it so I can buy the DVD. The reason I like this movie so much is because it is inspirational to see a character overcome a difficulty in life while learning life lessons from her friends who were on opposite poles of this body image problem in the United States.

Dukes performance was, as always, superb, as she has a talent to become the character she plays...bringing that persons plight and emotions to life.

This movie is worth watching for anyone who struggles with a negative body image. Just watch it and look for the life lesson. You will discover a very important truth in life that will help you love yourself as you are - which I believe opens the door that catapults one in taking care of their bodies for the right reason.

Great Movie in my book!

[rhondajohnson · 5 May 2004]

When I first saw this movie I was about 13 years old. Even then I felt it to be very inspirational and encouraging. It helped me in my journey to loose unwanted pounds and to create a healthy way of life. By doing so, my self esteem soared and by being at a crucial time in my life it helped! I believe all teenagers; especially girls need a positive outlet "this movie" that can help with their self esteem. This movie can also be inspiring to the middle aged overweight person who feels they may be too old to make a change. This story showed more than just a fat woman trying to be respected and treated like a desirable woman/wife; this movie also reveals how shallow men can be. I felt this movie was enlightening and a major hooray for all women, fat or skinny. I loved it! A must see!

Average TV Movie. Good cast.

[BooBoo516 · 21 July 2018]

I usually rate an average film 5/10, but Conchata Farrell's presence in the film gives it an extra star. Although not a bad film, the cheesy music and predictable dialogue don't help, as much as hinder. Patty plays a supposedly overweight (she was hardly that) woman, who is trying to cope with her weight and marriage struggles. I think this could have been an excellent telefilm if it wasn't so heavy handed--and a better script couldn't have hurt. You have almost everyone in the film telling Patty's character, Carole, she is overweight. I suppose this was done so the viewer would believe it. Well, not this viewer. Patty was too svelte, that even with some lame padding she barely looked 5-10 lbs. overweight. I know there was a good point to this film, but with all the other "stuff" the true meaning gets lost in it. Thankfully, Patty made some other fine films, this is more of a curiosity piece with a good cast.

Dreadful Movie

[richard.fuller1 · 4 March 2004]

Avoid at All Costs. Do not watch this thing without some idea of what it is going to say and do. I would watch this horrible movie one Sunday morning and didn't catch the title and had no clear idea what it was about.

Patty Duke is a woman whose husband left her. She is overweight. She has an obese friend, played by Conchata Farrel, and a thin friend, played by Barbara Feldon. In the end, Farrel is happy and Feldon collapses from starvation.

Believable message, but the problem is Patty Duke was never fat! She may have put on some weight, she wore sweats in this thing, but the woman was never overweight. In comparison to Barbara Feldon, a coat hanger is overweight.

This movie was sending all the wrong messages with implications that Duke was obese. She wasn't.

There would even be a young man who found the overweight Duke attractive and did a nude drawing of a large woman. The drawing wasn't of Kate Smith, that's for sure.

This film sent terrible, terrible messages all way around. Duke is a small woman. She doesn't have a frame being fantastically obese.

Always detour from watching this one.