As she portrays Kate, a Stepford type wife living the American dream- her husband is an attorney, she has a beautiful house and great kids...yet what is missing? Ben Masters is also very effective as the "perfect" husband, handsome and successful, but oblivious to his wife's illness. This film was made when bulimia was still taboo- and anorexia was considered the vogue(guess things haven't changed that much, at least in the entertainment industry). There are some excellent scenes, such as when Kate caters a party and stares at the sumptuous food-but will not eat until she is alone-away from people. There is also a hint that her mother is somewhat responsible- nothing that Kate does is ever good enough, etc.
Once Kate is hospitalized, she meets Tracy Nelson, a model who is pressured into anorexia for her profession. Nelson is sympathetic and believable; saying how everyone loves her when she weighs 96 lbs. Liz Torres is also very good as an overweight bulimic patient, who starts crying in group therapy, saying she probably represents every pretty girl's worst nightmare- obesity. Then Nelson counters with ..."I hate myself too; I think I look just like you, when I look in the mirror"...
Clearly, this illness is complex, and this film treats it as such. I would also recommend "Hunger Point" (with Barbara Hershey) and "For the Love of Nancy" (Tracey Gold and Jill Clayburgh), which deal with similar issues in a sensitive yet realistic manner. If you have a daughter or friend suffering with this disease, these films address crucial issues.
