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The Best Little Girl in the World

  • TV Movie
  • 1981
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
608
YOUR RATING
The Best Little Girl in the World (1981)
Drama

A young girl develops an eating disorder, alternately starving herself or throwing up food. Her parents, angry and desperate, send her to a hospital. Unfortunately, she befriends a patient w... Read allA young girl develops an eating disorder, alternately starving herself or throwing up food. Her parents, angry and desperate, send her to a hospital. Unfortunately, she befriends a patient who convinces her to hide her illness.A young girl develops an eating disorder, alternately starving herself or throwing up food. Her parents, angry and desperate, send her to a hospital. Unfortunately, she befriends a patient who convinces her to hide her illness.

  • Director
    • Sam O'Steen
  • Writers
    • David Moessinger
    • Steven Levenkron
  • Stars
    • Charles Durning
    • Eva Marie Saint
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    608
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sam O'Steen
    • Writers
      • David Moessinger
      • Steven Levenkron
    • Stars
      • Charles Durning
      • Eva Marie Saint
      • Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • 10User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos11

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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Charles Durning
    Charles Durning
    • Frank Powell
    Eva Marie Saint
    Eva Marie Saint
    • Joanne Powell
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Casey Powell
    Melanie Mayron
    Melanie Mayron
    • Carol Link
    Lisa Pelikan
    Lisa Pelikan
    • Gail Powell
    Viveca Lindfors
    Viveca Lindfors
    • Madame Seurat
    David Spielberg
    David Spielberg
    • Dr. Garett
    Jason Miller
    Jason Miller
    • Clay Orlovsky
    Richard Venture
    Richard Venture
    • Dr. Neil Holzer
    Lenora May
    Lenora May
    • Julie
    Laurence Lau
    Laurence Lau
    • Mark
    Michael Dudikoff
    Michael Dudikoff
    • Chuck
    Stephanie Cannon
    Stephanie Cannon
    • Mary
    Ally Sheedy
    Ally Sheedy
    • 1st Girl
    Andrea Pope
    • Michelle the Cheerleader
    Richard Milholland
    • Dr. Norman
    Jonathan Estrin
    • Dr. Shuster
    Lang Yun
    • Nurse Prine
    • Director
      • Sam O'Steen
    • Writers
      • David Moessinger
      • Steven Levenkron
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews10

    6.3608
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    Featured reviews

    Cyprus386

    Another true health class film

    I saw this movie in health class as part of the eating disorders unit. I found it to be in the same category as "A Secret Between Friends": Better seen in class than at home. Everyone I know who saw this was disgusted by Casey's bulimic body. I know I was. The only major problem I see here was the anti-climactic ending. They could have definitely done more here.
    6nummerskivan

    Movies about anorexia is pro-ana, and always will be.

    This and every movie, article or anything else about anorexia was what drove my own anorexia. In the 80's this was the movie to have on VCR and 1 or 2 books about anorexics. Watch every time one wanted to give up starving, to keep going.

    Media of all kind should start thinking about this in the way they think about suicides, and stop showing stuff that are triggering. This movie may be old, but new ones are the same, triggeringwise.

    What is showed, can spread, that's why suicide is not exposed as much. The experts know that in is contagious, however you try to show it. Info is spread in another way.
    7triple8

    good tv movie with an early Jennifer Jason Lee-why only 3 comments?

    Wow-I'm really surprised this movie didn't make more of a mark. Jennifer jason lee is absolutely great here playing a young girl who develops anorexia. It's one of the best roles I've ever seen, I don't care if its a tv movie! The whole cast in general was great in this.

    The only negative isn't really a negative, it's just a very tough movie to watch in spots. Well it would be, you can't make a movie about this subject and expect it not to be! The pluses far outweigh the negatives and if one is interested in the subject matter or a fan of Lee's this would be very definetly a good choice to view.It was actualy one of the first things I saw Lee in and helped make me a fan of hers. The movie also deals with a very tough subject matter in a realistic wellacted way.I think they could have got a better title but otherwise there's nothing negative to say about this movie at all.
    7cpjcwkn

    The movie that taught me how to be anorexic

    Funny, I didn't remember the name of this movie. Only that JJL was the girl who showed me that world. I spent 25 years trying to be free of it....finally, finally!! I know it was supposed to be a cautionary tale but....not for me.
    Bolesroor

    Worth The Rental...

    "The Best Little Girl In The World" is a made-for-TV movie dealing with anorexia/bulimia. While it does have that "After-School Special" feel, it features good performances from great actors. Charles Durning is excellent as always as Casey's angry, disinterested father, and Jennifer Jason Leigh really establishes herself here as a great actor. The downside to this movie? It's a bit melodramatic- for example, every time Casey stumbles from weakness a dozen horns blare from the soundtrack. And there are laughably funny moments, such as the New Year's Eve sequence, where Charles During tries to force-feed Casey peanut butter sandwiches until she gains weight. She winds up biting his hand like a snarling dog. Or when Casey takes off her robe to reveal her sickly-thin body, it's obviously a body double. But if you are looking for a movie that deals with this subject honestly and respectfully (as opposed to all those Lifetime movies in which a man is always at fault), "The Best Little Girl In The World" is worth tracking down.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Under medical supervision, Jennifer Jason Leigh wasted down to 87 pounds for her role.
    • Quotes

      Clay: How do you feel about all this, Casey?

      Casey: I don't know... I don't want to know. I don't want it and I hate it.

      Clay: What do you hate?

      Casey: My family. I hate them... but I want them... and I hate wanting them.

      Clay: Why do you hate it?

      Casey: I hate wanting. Wanting something means that you'll never get it.

      Joanne: Haven't we always given you what you wanted? You have everything you've asked for.

      Casey: Tell me one damn thing that I ever asked for? What... what did I ever ask for? I asked for nothing... and that's what I got. Gail got attention for screwin' up... and I got nothing for being good. Nothing from you... and nothing from Daddy.

      Joanne: That is not true. I love you. I wanted you to have everything.

      Casey: Everything that you *wanted* me to have! You don't let me choose my own clothes. You never liked my friends so I don't have any friends... and I *can't* take this pressure.

      Frank: Don't talk to your mother like that.

      Casey: Daddy, for *once* in my life I am telling you how I feel! I... I just want you to love me... no matter what I do.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Alice: The Best Little Waitress in the World (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      Songs to Aging Children Come
      Words and Music by Joni Mitchell

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 11, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Anorexia
    • Production company
      • Aaron Spelling Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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