2. No Fuss, No Mess Eating Disorders!
More specifically, bulimia. Its not something that someone with this illness can easily hide. Its not something that can be handled with a quick trip to the loo and then back to the party. And yet, in movies, for all the secrecy and drama that comes with a character with an eating disorder, its rare that there is an accurate depiction on screen. Because we as the audience are already moving on to the next scene. Why should we bother with the mess that came before it? And is it just me, or are eating disorders there in movies to add depth to a character? Or show that a certain character is troubled? Take
Heathers. Shannon Dohertys Heather (Duke) is a bulimic. The trouble is, you never see the real scene where she spends ages cleaning the toilet afterwards and leaves with her face all splashed with water and puffy eyed. Movies would have you believe that audience would not be able to tell the character had bulimia, unless they admit to it. Two seconds after the act the rest of the cast are none the wiser as they greet the bulimic character and her perfectly made up face. The truth is, its far messier. But are we really going to spend five minutes form a bottle of toilet duck? Probably not.