The Best Little Girl in the World (1981) (TV)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Sam O'Steen

Writers:

Steven Levenkron (novel)
David Moessinger (writer)

Release Date:

11 May 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A drama of anorexia nervosa. A movie that just might save your child's life.

Plot:

Casey Powell is a young teenage girl who is secretly suffering from anorexia nevosa, a mental and physical...

Plot Keywords:

Anorexia | Peer Pressure | Disease | Starvation | Reflection

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Charles Durning	...	Frank Powell
Eva Marie Saint	...	Joanne Powell
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Casey Powell
Melanie Mayron	...	Carol Link
Lisa Pelikan	...	Gail Powell
Viveca Lindfors	...	Madame Seurat
David Spielberg	...	Dr. Garett
Jason Miller	...	Clay Orlovsky
Richard Venture	...	Dr. Neil Holzer
Lenora May	...	Julie
Laurence Lau	...	Mark
Michael Dudikoff	...	Chuck
Stephanie Cannon	...	Mary
Ally Sheedy	...	1st Girl
Andrea Pope	...	Michelle the Cheerleader

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Aaron Spelling Productions

Trivia:

The leading role originally went to Jodie Foster, but withdrew, since she was attending at Yale.

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.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Alice: The Best Little Waitress in the World (#6.16)" (1982)

a pretty good portrayal of a girl's journey with anorexia

The movie starts with a perfectly normal girl, who obviously, has trouble at home, who feels neglected and unloved. She then starts noticing all the thin people the media shoves in people's faces, and her own weight. So she starts exercising more...

Jennifer Jason Leigh has an outstanding performance as Casey. You can honestly believe her. And Jason Miller does a great job as well - some parts nearly left me crying. Lisa Pelikan, who plays Casey's sister, has the weakest performance in this movie. She did not show any emotion or anything - just a monotone annoyance.

Overall, I give this movie a 7. Good for anyone who knows anyone with anorexia.