Lily Collins has given some of the most undisputed performances in almost all of her projects, with the viewers being stunned not only by her exceptional acting charms but also by her irresistible beauty. That said, her portrayal of Ellen in her 2017 thriller/drama film with Keanu Reeves, To the Bone, was nothing short of the perfect proof of just how dedicated she is to her work as well.
However, her movie was booed down and deemed a controversial project that should be banned because it could trigger strong, unwanted emotions in the people actually suffering from anorexia nervosa. But the movie itself was a real masterpiece that needed to be created, and the response that Collins received for her tremendous physical transformation only further proved its necessity.
The Reaction to Lily Collins’ Weight Loss Proves Why To the Bone Was Necessary
In the thriller/drama masterpiece To the Bone, Collins plays the character of Ellen, a young lady suffering from anorexia nervosa, i.e. an eating disorder that triggers severe fear of gaining weight in people dealing with it. Thus, to embody Ellen, she had to undergo a tremendous physical transformation to lose weight.
Of course, the Love, Rosie actress found this to be a scary process. However, at the same time, she also acknowledged in an interview with Refinery29 that she “would be [losing weight] under the supervision of a nutritionist and surrounded by all these amazing women on set. So, I knew that I would be in a safe environment to explore this.”
But the part she hated the most wasn’t that she had to lose weight, no. The actual part that really got to Lily Collins was the reaction she received after losing her weight, for that reaction wasn’t one of concern, but rather, one of commendation on how slim she looked even though what she was truly carrying around was a scarily thin frame.
As per a story Collins once shared with Teen Vogue:
“I was leaving my apartment one day and someone I’ve known for a long time, my mom’s age, said to me, ‘Oh, wow, look at you!’ I tried to explain [I had lost weight for a role] and she goes, ‘No! I want to know what you’re doing, you look great!'”
Making matters all the worse was the fact that this wasn’t the only time that Collins was complimented over the concerning physique she had donned for her film with Keanu Reeves. Needless to mention, all of this severely affected her and only further proved just how necessary the making of this movie was.
As she continued to share in the interview with Teen Vogue:
“I got into the car with my mom and said, ‘That is why the problem exists.'”
All of these reasons also further pushed her into taking on this movie besides the fact that she had herself battled bulimia during and a little after the late teens of her life. But the worst part was that the film was still deemed highly controversial by many.
To the Bone Still Faced the Wrath of Many
Although this story more or less makes it evident just how important it was to highlight this issue of anorexia nervosa and raise concern over it, To the Bone still ended up receiving the wrath of many. Not only was it criticized by charities and campaigners for allegedly “stigmatizing” the eating disorder, but some even launched an online petition to ban the film.
As reported by the Independent, the film faced controversy for the way it graphically presented the thoroughly lethal eating disorders and the people struggling with them, with some even terming it as “inappropriate.” Then there was the petition, which had people signing for it to be banned as it triggered unwanted emotions in the people suffering from such disorders.
But of course, this movie wasn’t what these people deemed it to be, and writer-director, Marti Noxon, who herself struggled with experiences with anorexia nervosa, made it evident through a statement (via THR) that this project wasn’t one that “fetishizes or encourages or glamorizes the disorder in any way, shape or form.”
She then mentioned what the movie is actually about, writing: “I’m proud to be part of a film that brings this conversation to light. […] But if you feel like this movie may be, for you, a form of trigger, maybe it’s something that only you know you shouldn’t watch.”
True enough, when people started to see this movie for what it was, it transformed into a critically acclaimed masterpiece that not many could counterargue with.
You can watch To the Bone on Netflix.
