Fatso (1980) User Reviews

You need to understand it

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 21 September 2020]

The very sad thing about many good movies is that they not only couldn't be made today, they can't be openly enjoyed without criticism. In Fatso, an overweight man is repeatedly harangued by his sister until he joins Overeaters Anonymous to curb his appetite. Anne Bancroft actually screams at him and hits him, calling him 'fatso' and saying he's going to die if he doesn't stop. Ever since the 'big is beautiful' campaign, it isn't socially acceptable to talk about being overweight that way. And, since American obesity has been steadily increasing through the years and decades, when you go back and watch Fatso, Dom DeLuise doesn't look nearly as overweight as he did in 1980. It's very unfortunate that this movie, obviously created with love, would be raked over the coals if viewed by modern audiences.

This movie is Anne Bancroft's baby; she wrote, directed, and co-stared as the concerned sister. She didn't make this movie to shame overweight people or laugh at them. She made it to show how hard it is to change your mindset when it's in your blood to overeat. In the beginning, we see a typical Italian family, who believe wholeheartedly that food is love, teaching their infant son to drown his unpleasant feelings in food. Feeling full is comforting, and when you've been taught that response since before you can talk, it's nearly impossible to change. From Anne's character's point of view, she's worried and frustrated that her brother is killing himself by overeating. When she slaps him and tells him he has to stop, she's reacting the say any other concerned family member would react if her brother were hooked on drugs or alcohol. If you're able to view overeating in that same vein, you'll be able to fully appreciate this movie. If you can't shake your modern goggles off, or you have no concept of the Italian culture, you're not ready for Fatso yet.

Funny/Sad comedy

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 22 February 2002]

This may not be an amusing look at the dark side of eating to someone with a disorder but I roared with glee at Don's antics as the frustrated food addict. It was done from a comedy angle of course, but Don's big Chinese binge was a sobering glimpse at how ugly this passion for food can be. Well worth seeing.

IT'S SAFE TO SEE THIS NOW...

[renfield54 · 7/10 · 17 June 1999]

Wow! Fatso's are people too! What a concept!!! This isn't the best movie I've ever seen. In fact, finding an audience for it is difficult in a largely overweight society. Since most are in denial, who would want to be seen waiting to get into the theater? It is, however, presented as sympathetic and is good for alot of laughs along the way.

Particularly funny is the scene where Dom's "chubby checker" is talking him down from starting an over-eating binge. Lines like, "did you ever suck the jelly out of a jelly doughnut, fill it with reese cups and melt it in the oven?", as they weaken, are priceless. Especially, when a panicky Ron Carey (who has chained the refrigerator shut), is told repeatedly and threateningly to "bring the honey, junior" (for their tea). The resulting chaos is hilarious.

It's safe to rent this one. No one will see you. And it is a cute little movie......

Sad But Funny

[hfan77 · 11 May 2009]

I remember seeing Fatso for the first time in Madison, WI in 1980 and I thought it was a sad but funny movie. It was sad throughout several portions of the movie, including the opening scene when the DiNapoli family gathered at the funeral of cousin Sal, who died of obesity, motivating Dom's sister Antoinette (hysterically portrayed by Anne Bancroft in her movie debut as writer and director) to persuade him to make an appointment with the diet doctor.

Things go well until he threatens his brother (Ron Carey) with a knife and goes nuts and starts crying in self-pity and binges with his Chubby Checkers Sonny and Oscar. Meanwhile, things get back on track when he falls in love with Lydia, played by the lovely Candy Azzara but one day she's not home and Dom is so distraught so he eats a humongous order of Chinese food. Once again he wallows away in tears of self-pity. Once he finds out that Lydia is OK, things get back to normal, they get married and they live happily ever after.

There was one other scene that cracked me up. The scene where Dom bought a birthday cake for his nephew Anthony and he ate part of it, causing Antoinette to get hysterical and throw the cake around.

It's a shame that Dom DeLuise, who played Dom so well in his first starring role in a movie, Bancroft and Carey are gone. Fatso should be seen as a tribute to a fine and funny cast. Don't see it on an empty stomach.

if you liked marty, moonstruck, only the lonely, AND mel brooks

[thrback · 7/10 · 5 November 2019]

Rite down your ally. semiautobiographical. ann bancroft, anna italiano! is from belmont in the bronx and her husband, melvin kaminsky, is famous as mel brooks. dom deluise is their pal.

a sweet movie. if you are from an italian or jewish, or polish, or irish, or greek... family in the urban usa and grew up in the 50s, tho this is set in the 80s, this will seem like a homecoming.

not brilliant or challenging. sweet. cute. nostalgic.

Anne Bancroft project

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 20 March 2021]

When her cousin Sal dies young from weight-related issues, Antoinette(Bancroft) makes her brother Dom (Dom DeLuiz) face up to his own weight problem. if it kills him ! the usual bit about avoiding everything and only eating lettuce and chicken. but then... Dom meets one of my favorite people, Candy Azzara, as Lydia. and they fall for each other. keep an eye out for Mrs. Goodman... she's Estelle Reiner (Carl's wife...). they also used her in To Be or Not to Be! some fun bits, but gets very serious about halfway through. written and directed by MRS. Mel Brooks herself... Anne Bancroft. and Mel's not even in this one! although there is a Tiny Brooks in the cast list. relation? there are some clever bits in here, but after forty years, it's a bit dated.

Fatso (1980) **

[JoeKarlosi · 5/10 · 20 May 2014]

Anne Bancroft wrote, directed, and acted in this uneven comedy that doesn't know quite what it wants to be. It's somewhat about a likable fat man (Dom DeLuise) who loves his food, but it's also about him yearning for a young woman (Candice Azzara). When Dom's younger brother Salvatore drops dead at only age 39 from being morbidly obese, Dom is pestered by his overbearing sister (Bancroft) to get his butt to a doctor and lose some weight. While this could have been a sure recipe for some really hilarious stuff, the script just isn't that funny, and it veers from humorous attempts to some pathos that don't really come together. Instead, Dom only half-heartedly bothers with his dieting dilemma, and quite frankly, DeLuise is not really THAT fat here to begin with. The best funny scene occurs one evening when Dom cannot control his appetite and maniacally awakens his sleeping brother (Ron Carey) while brandishing a gun and a knife if he won't unlock the fridge. But such ripe opportunities for some good laughs are few and far between. ** out of ****

memorable

[dcain-1 · 10/10 · 7 May 2005]

I saw this film on a pay channel a long, long time ago. It seems to have vanished in the decades since. Something about it stuck in my mind - the humor, the sensitive anguish of broken self-esteem, the endless struggle with conflicting desires. I still tell stories from the movie - the support group intervention is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Curiously, I have never met anyone else who has even heard of it. I have to admit that I didn't even remember that the lead was played by Dom Deloise, as it is a very different role than the Burt Reynolds films I know him for. I would love to see it again, so I hope they have the wisdom to release the DVD and allow me to refresh my all-too-aging memory.

Loved the Brother's Song and Dance!!

[GeoPierpont · 3/10 · 20 May 2014]

A potentially heartwarming family story that missed the mark with the exception of two scenes. The Brother's Happy Song and Dance, which truly portrayed the special relationship they had. I enjoyed those two moments immensely.

Otherwise, was unhappy with the mixed messages of take care of your health but eat as much as you want and expect everyone to just accept who you are. Huh? I thought the entire premise of the film was the tragedy and ensuing trauma experienced by the family after Cousin Sal's early demise.

Dom's acting chops were clearly evident throughout. To be honest, when I saw his name, I assumed endless scenes of mugs and pratfalls. He took this role very seriously and made you even think he was one of la familia.

I found too many scenes with very limited or no dialogue and extended shots that were overdone. I disliked the Chubby Checker choke out, too hammy but again with potential for poignancy. And how could his sister be skinny as a rail, with all those delicious treats and that gravy looked to die for.

Listening to that list of foods not to eat, for an east coast Italian, that is remnant of a death sentence. But you learn to change over time and treat yourself once in a blue moon. Perhaps not La Dolce Vita but Pfizer et al. doesn't eat (lol) up your paycheck! The topic needs to be seriously addressed and remade for the current obesity crisis that continually worsens. Mange but please no kale!

If you have a heart it will be touched

[bucksix · 10/10 · 16 March 2006]

I like to add my comments whenever I can make the above statement. It is impossible for me to watch this movie (I have now seen it at least 10 times)without completely breaking down particularly at the hospital where he asks her to marry him and she says "YES!!!" The montage of pictures during the final credits showing their growing family is a real heart toucher as well.

I had the extreme good fortune of meeting and visiting with Anne Bancroft a number of times. She was one of the nicest and most caring people I have ever known. She was the writer and director of this movie. Her warmth and good heart show throughout.

I've said it before and here it is again: When you watch Fatso, if you have a heart it will be touched.

Low budget movie ?

[daviskid2008 · 4/10 · 14 January 2020]

For Anne Bancroft's first movie where she's directing it and also staring in it along Dom Deluise and Ron Carey , this movie is pretty underrated in my opinion. And It's kinda sad not many people know this exists but it did get a Blu Ray release by Shout factory.

Tickles the Funnybone, Provokes the Mind, Warms the Heart

[Sparki · 10/10 · 8 June 2005]

Opinions are like noses, everyone has one. Here's mine.

THIS MOVIE IS A GEM! A heartwarming, humorous, realistic view of the ups and downs of a large-bodied man. I say this because I myself was in a relationship with a lovely gentleman who happened to be of ample body contour, and the courtship scenes with Dom and Lydia reminded me of my courtship with my own hefty, handsome boyfriend. Also, gotta love Anne Bancroft as Our Hero's shrewish sister FAVORITE SCENES: Our Hero sneaking a wedge of his nephew's birthday cake, and his sister blowing a gasket! Our Hero crying when the diet doc gives him a list of Foods To Avoid, all of which he loves. The weight-loss intervention turning into a pig-out party. The Chinese food! (The sister having a meltdown! Classic!) Our Hero threatening to cut off his brother's "huevos" after Bro padlocks the fridge and larder. The scenes with Our Hero and his sweetheart. This is a beauty of a film with a beautiful message (love yourself no matter what your bodily dimensions) that deserved more attention than it got.

Some great moments, a touching film.

[nicedad1 · 25 November 2004]

There are some real classic moments in this film. The hot dog scene where Dom looks at a beautiful girl, then back at the hot dog... in a mental fight that he can't win, he finally bites the hot dog. There are several classic moments and some are quite subtle, such as the scene where Lydia says the wrapping paper is "too gay" only to be glanced at by a man at the cash register. For people with an eating disorder, it will make you cry and laugh at the same time. For people who don't understand the addiction of food, it's an introduction into the dark world and troubles of being overweight. This is a real sleeper. Anne Bancroft does a splendid job of direction, and her character in the film is vivid, and colorful. This is a great film. I liked it a lot, and I have seen it about 5 times.

For Our Italian-American Family, Funny Fond FATSO is a Documentary! :-)

[dtb · 9/10 · 24 August 2010]

Occasionally, the Fox Movie Channel (FMC) airs a letterboxed version of the 1980 comedy FATSO, Anne Bancroft's only big-screen foray into writing and directing. Having grown up watching the films of leads Bancroft, Dom DeLuise, and Ron Carey, I can hardly believe they're no longer with us. Heck, I still remember the movie poster from FATSO's original theatrical release: a mournful DeLuise standing against a long list of foods under the bold heading "Do Not Eat." DeLuise stars as Dominick DiNapoli, an overweight 40-year-old bachelor living in New York City's Little Italy. His happy life revolves around his family: sister Antoinette (Bancroft) and her husband and kids; "baby" brother Junior (Ron Carey, best known and loved in our household from his roles in HIGH ANXIETY and JOHNNY DANGEROUSLY); countless cousins -- and food, glorious food! Having been doted on and well-meaningly overfed by his worried mom (tragically, her two previous baby boys died in infancy), Dom's life has always revolved around eating, drinking, and being merry, usually with his big-hearted and just plain big cousin Sal. When Sal dies of an obesity-related heart attack, however, Antoinette and Junior frantically beseech Dom to tackle his own weight problem before he follows in Sal's footsteps to the graveyard. Dom's misadventures on the road to weight loss include the support group Chubby Checkers (featuring Estelle Reiner, the "I'll have what she's having" scene-stealer in director son Rob's ...WHEN HARRY MET SALLY), as well as good-intentioned but overzealous family haranguing that only makes Dom feel worse about himself. Then Dom meets Lydia (Candice Azzara), a down-to-earth, zaftig, huggably adorable blonde who seems perfect for Dom if only he could work up the courage to ask her out. (Their eventual romance is warm and wonderful to watch. I love watching appealing character actors get to have lots of hot kissing scenes! Why should the usual movie star types have all the fun? But I digress...) Our family's favorite scene is the attempted intervention of two Chubby Checkers when Dom tries to head off a binge, only to erupt into the most spectacular binge of all time for all concerned. It always cracks us up when Dom and his partners-in-weight-management rhapsodize dreamily about the many ways to enjoy a jelly doughnut, turning the innocent phrase "Get the honey, Junior" into a threat/chant. By turns bittersweet, zany, romantic, and warm-hearted, FATSO may be too shrill and sentimental for some tastes, but my family and I absolutely loved it from beginning to end! Born Anna Maria Italiano, Bancroft's Bronx roots show throughout. The volatile yet endearing characters and the loving details about their lives ring true, like Martin Scorsese on laughing gas. While many of the film's ideas about the best approaches to weight loss are dated now, it was surprisingly ahead of its time in portraying emotional eating and its tragicomic aspects -- making it all the more devious that Bancroft and director of photography Brianne Murphy film the tempting, luscious-looking foodstuffs in an inviting, sensual way that brings to mind WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE? and JULIE & JULIA.

Having grown up in NYC as part of a boisterous, food-loving Italian-American family (on Dad's side; Mom's side was Irish-American. Never a dull moment in our household! :-)) and having waged my own battle of the bulge during much of my adult life, I totally identify with FATSO. It's like a lively Sunday dinner with my Grandma Josie and/or our other food-loving drama queen relatives and Italian-American friends in our old Bronx neighborhood -- and I mean that as a compliment! :-) As of this writing, FATSO will be on HBO Comedy for the next few weeks. It's not the letterboxed version FMC shows, but it's still worth checking your local TV/cable listings!

This is one funny movie

[tjdascoli · 10/10 · 18 January 2005]

Why is this movie not on DVD?? This is one of the all-time great comedies in movie history. So well made. All of the subtle humor as well as the obvious. Being an Italian and living in NYC, I can certainly relate. There is a lot of great food around everywhere, bakeries and Pizzarias on every corner. The scene of him dipping the bread into the gravy and sprinkling on the cheese is pretty realistic, and just about anybody who is Italian can relate to. So take the gravy out of the freezer, cook up some macaroni and watch this movie. Then, when you are done, break out the cake and the pastries with a cold glass of milk. But please, don't eat too much. Mangia! Mangia!

Funny humane movie

[Herb-15 · 8 June 2005]

Directed by the late Anne Bancroft, Fatso is as funny and humane as anything her very funny husband, Mel Brooks, directed. Bancroft evidently tapped into her Bronx background for this story of an Italian American, played sympathetically by Dom DeLuise, who runs a greeting card shop and is struggling with weight and shyness in courting a young women who opens an antique shop in the neighborhood. Bancroft plays his sister who is always nagging him about his weight (but does an hilarious dance with him in his shop) and there are many wonderful family scenes, especially the funeral near the beginning of the film of the hero's morbidly obese cousin who "always had something good to eat on him". A scene where DeLuise and his diet-support group ("Chubby Checkers") break out and go on an orgy of eating is alone worth the price of the movie. I watch this movie at least once a year and it never fails to give me great pleasure.

"You don't know how to run your plate, Junior"

[brujay-1 · 8/10 · 30 December 2006]

As did Red Skelton in his time, Dom DeLuise has a very sweet on-screen persona. He's the kind of guy you'd trust your kids to.

Anne Bancroft, a multi-talented lady sorely missed, wrote and directed a picture here on a topic not ever before focused on, overeating. Given that the US has become the fattest country on earth and the most obsessed with weight loss, it's surprising no filmmaker has ever taken the topic on the way they have drugs or drinking or racism. Maybe it's just too close to home.

The funny thing is that DeLuise himself, unlike some of the bit players in the picture, is not all that fat, seriously chubby, to be sure, not bathing suit material, but not really obese. Never mind. He's told he is and thinks he is and has a hell of a confused and guilty time with it. "Why does everybody want me to be skinny?" he asks himself. "I'm not such a bad guy."

The "message," that love conquers all shortcomings, including gluttony, is a little pat and predictable. But it would be churlish to come down hard on such a well-meaning, well- written, well-directed and well-played comedy. Catch it when you can.

Under-rated and Under-appreciated

[ekeby · 8/10 · 7 September 2006]

Fatso is running on Fox Movie Channel now as I write this. I feel compelled to add my appreciation for this sweet little movie that, as I recall, got creamed by many critics when it came out.

The pacing IS slow and the story (unlike the theme) slender. Nevertheless, this is a greatly under-appreciated movie. There are many, many funny scenes and lines that are equal to any from more celebrated comedies. The performances are all right on target, especially DeLouise and Bancroft.

I'm here to say you DON'T have to be Italian or from NY to appreciate the movie. However, if you've ever struggled with a diet, the movie will resonate with you more than if you're a lifelong skinny Minnie. You will not soon forget Dom DeLouise's heartbreak as he listens to a list of restricted foods recited by a severe-looking nurse in his diet doctor's office. Afterwards, when he has to pick up a birthday cake for his nephew, the camera lingers lovingly on the rows of luscious- looking pastries. His torment is palpable and very, very funny.

We in the U.S. live in the land of plenty. This is THE BEST movie about Americans and their unique--dare I say perverse?--relationship with food. And it's sweet, and funny. Really, really funny.

Finally out on DVD!

[ttrotta · 10/10 · 3 January 2007]

Happy to report Fatso was released on DVD in June of 2006. Spoiled by today's movies, we were hoping the disk would contain some out-takes, director's comments, or some background info, but all you get is the movie. But that's okay with us! My Italian side of the family adores this movie and it's been one of our favorites for over 20 years. Most of us can recite every scene line by line. Dom DeLuise is great from beginning to end. Amazingly Anne Bancroft wrote and directed this hilarious film, which makes me wish she had done more Italian-American comedies. If you've got a sense of humor and you love to eat, don't miss this movie!

So True to Life

[Patmarie · 9/10 · 2 April 2010]

This is a great movie, don't know why it hasn't been recognized. I had never even heard of this film, though this issue is one that my family and I have long struggled with. Intended to be a comedy, I thought it would be something like "Pennies from Heaven", it has that look and feel. Of course there are funny moments, but it was much,MUCH more. The funeral scene at the beginning was so raw and real, it was hard to watch - the grief of the Aunt and of Anne Bancroft is so intense!

Though the family members are quirky, and very dramatic, you can tell that they really care for each other. There are not many films that show this realistically the bonds between siblings and cousins.

The Italian American family culture was authentic, down to small details (i.e., swishing Brioschi-an antacid-from one cup to another), and what a relief to have no Godfather-esquire stereotypes, so common to that time, and too long after.

But the reason to watch is the film's honesty - Dom's pain, confusion,guilt and self-loathing regarding his overeating, his failed though sincere attempts to change, and his fear that this will lead to an early death. The fear, attempts to control, anger and confusion of his sister and brother are very real, too.

I am part of a 12-step group having to do with food, and I hear this every day, no scripts needed. Dom's tears are REAL, and reflect the reality of many lives, now just as in 1980. What an open and honest performance by DeLuise. Anne Bancroft was always wonderful, whatever she did, I had no idea that she had written, directed and acted in this. Ron Carey I liked from shows such as "High Anxiety", but he was great here. The actress who played Lydia was good, too.

This movie touched my heart and strengthened my program of recovery. Anyone struggling with food (and those who love someone who struggles with food)can learn something here. Thank you to all involved, as others have said, most of these folks are no longer with us, but thanks to them, anyway!

Really Funny!

[The_Core · 9/10 · 30 March 2000]

To heck with the critics - this is one of my favorite comedies. Some of the sight gags are truly unforgettable and the best I've seen in the comedy genre. Creative use of camera angles combined with an absolutely hilarious plot combine to make this (in my opinion) one of the funniest movies ever done! The romance sub-plot is also sweet and fun. Lighthearted, innocent and really, really funny! 9/10.

Very Funny and under rated

[misterwu-1 · 10/10 · 8 December 2007]

A very humorous and yet serious movie about obesity. Maybe being overweight isn't the best thing for a persons health, but being one's self and being happy is all that really matters in life - "I'm not so bad the way I am," says Dom DiNapoli, the portly subject of the movie, who loves food and a girl he thinks he can't have. With a delightful blend of New York Italian culture and the human problem of overeating, Fatso makes for an entertaining movie experience. Loaded with some of the funniest comedy gags I have ever seen, Fatso is a very humorous and yet serious movie about a very touchy subject, obesity! "The good people are the fat people and the fat die young."

Hey, fat people needs love too!

[GOWBTW · 9/10 · 25 February 2010]

Just because you're overweight, it doesn't mean you have to meet the needs of attractiveness. For Dom DeLuise(1933-2009), his role made him the way he is. In "Fatso", he plays Dominick, a obese man who has a love/hate relationship with food. His cousin played the tuba died suddenly from total inactivity. It made Dominick eat more and more of the bad foods. But when he meets Lydia(Candance Azzara), his life changes for the better. Painfully shy, he tries his best to make an impression to her. That's good. But the bad urges seem to linger in, and he gives in to the cravings and temptations that plagues him very much. When he and Lydia dates, Dominick loses the urges for food. And that is very helping to him. What really helped him the most that he has to accept himself for what he is, FAT! When Lydia went out of town to see her sick brother, Dominick went over the edge. But she finally calls him, he realized that she did care for him, and he lost all the urges to eat. The love of a woman is stronger than the love for food. Hey you can have all the food in the world to watch this flick, just don't make a pig out of yourself! HAHAHA!!!!!!!!! 4 OUT OF 5 STAS!

Most underrated comedy of all time

[nrapny-01694 · 10/10 · 24 July 2019]

This is a perfect film, in my humble opinion. Right from the start it handles the exposition in such a way that you are glued to the story. From the first scenes you don't know whether to laugh, cry or stay silent. Dom DeLuise in his best role. His emotional switch turns on a dime and the oddness of the characters in this film are shockingly believable for some ridiculous reason. It's a hard movie to find but it is DEFINITELY a must see!

Thought-provoking and very funny satire about weight consciousness

[tbird-2 · 10/10 · 18 December 1998]

This is a wonderful satire not only on the weight-consciousness of society, but on what it is like to be part of a close-knit Italian family. I know, because I am part of such a family. Don't miss all of Anne Bancroft's wonderful expressions and gestures.