Moviecut—Excess Flesh

source: Excess Flesh

I think I'm other writers' hands this could be really good. The story is there and the metaphor is strong, but the script is garbage and awkward. The filming style, while visceral and gross, is perfectly suited to the subject matter. Maybe having this be a horror movie pushed it too far out of the mainstream. I can tell you from experience that this is an insanely accurate portrait of the realities of an eating disorder. I've seen just about every movie out there that deals with EDs and NONE have ever come as close as this to showing what it's really like. It very much is like having a second person inside you that you despise and that despises you right back. It's not glamorous, it's gross and sad and a hell of your own making. I wish this was made by a more mainstream director etc because the message is important.

Good psychological and body horror with a slow build. The acting was great and the scenes were visually captivating. This movie isn't just psychological. With some of the scenes I felt like I could smell from the filth. Overall, good solid horror film.

Few things gross me out to the point where I'm compelled to turn away from the screen, "Excess Flesh" thrived on this aspect of filmmaking. I can barely eat food in public, nonetheless watch emotionally disturbed women munch on my favorite late snacks zoomed in and shot in slow motion. The imagery and visuals can get a bit annoying and overdone, but maybe that is the director's aim in placing a psychological effect on the viewer. I feel like there is an overall point to this movie, but the dramatic scenes and chaotic ultra abuse kind of distort which direction I feel the movie is going in. It has a rather predictable twist and hits the emotions oddly with various traumas explored through extremes. Plenty of gross out sound effects and disturbing music scores only amplify the dysfunction of these wilder moments. My main take on the movie as a whole is the exploration of eating disorders, low self esteem, narcissism, and the vicious cycle in general that physical and emotional abuse perpetuate from victim to victim. I enjoyed the performance of the main character, her level of crazy was pretty entertaining and I found her kind of hot at certain points in the film (but that's a conversation reserved for my therapist). I kept picturing her snappy emotions and aggressive/eratic behavior being played well as the portrayal of "Baby" in "The Devil's Rejects", not to take anything away from my future wife Sherri Moon... The roommate was a very easy to hate character and we can all relate to knowing a woman or two like her. Even when you feel like you should empathize with her, you really struggle to, or at least I did. A decent film at best, due to the confusing scenes, over the top disgusting visuals, and an unoriginal twist. For something a little bit different, a lot a bit gross, and completely weird, it hits the spot, but don't think about the movie too hard or you'll probably be disappointed. Also, probably not the best choice for date night/movie night. Unless, you both met on the Dark Web.

Excellent original semi meta storyline. Great acting. Definitely terrifying and a "world" I don't ever wanna go back to. Highly impactful and interesting, but also horrifying.

Jennifer (Mary Loveless) and Jill (Bethany Orr) are the odd couple. Jennifer is a model and Jill is 130 pound bulimic. Jill's mother suffers from substance abuse and Jill is clearly not wrapped too tight. Jennifer has gotten out of an abusive relationship and mistreats Jill. Jennifer pushes Jill until we reach the picture on the DVD cover. We get a lot of close ups of the girls eating and smacking their lips, talking while eating, and spitting out their food. They rented the apartment with the chains in the wall, something that must be an option in LA. I imagine this is supposed to me a story of two abused people who come to live together and make matters worse. I got bored watching them eat scene after scene after scene. More drama than thriller. It was like watching "Knock Knock" without the guy plus food. Guide: F-word, sex, nudity (Bethany Orr, Mary Loveless)

While clearly meant to be a horror-thriller this film had the potential to make profound statements about fame, jealousy, mental illness and eating disorders but instead just using them as props. It IS just a horror movie in the end, and even worse than most, which says a lot.

Could have been cool. Had many ways to go instead it just wanders into a wasteland of nothingness. Happens. The 2 lead actresses were good. Most everything else sucked.

For not the right reasons I might add. And I'm not talking about this being one of the few reviews of mine that have been deleted. As you can see though I'm not entire alone with my opinion on the movie. Still from the top I do think this has a more than fine idea and storyline. Apart from those who may not like movies "sprinkled" or filled entirely with social critisicm, they may have issues already with the movie. But everyone else may not just be intrigued by this. And that is where I have to say that the movie fails. And it is not so much the grotesque and quite visceral/graphic nature of it all (though you should not be too squeamish about these things either). It is about how the story evolves and how it is edited together. Stretching the viewer patience to the point it'll break for most. Not to mention the incredible straining characters (actor choices/dialog) that you'll either endure to get to the "good parts" or just plain will be annoyed by it ... So well intended but very flawed to say the least