disFIGURED

Set in muggy Venice Beach, CA, disFIGURED centers on the friendship between two women with body-image issues: overweight Lydia (Deidra Edwards) and recovering anorexic Darcy (Staci Lawrence). When Darcy—a rail-thin real estate agent (who sees herself as heavy) tries to join a fat acceptance group, the other members reject her, except for Lydia. In turn, Darcy offers to help Lydia—a home furnishings clerk—with the latter's walking group, in which Lydia meets Bob (Ryan C. Benson, winner of 2005's The Biggest Loser reality TV weight-loss contest), who's looking for a no-strings-attached relationship. Writer/director Glenn Gers (who scripted Fracture and Mad Money) alternates between the two friends, the new couple, and the acceptance group, where members share comments such as “I didn't let myself go; I'm right here.” While it might seem unlikely that someone as well balanced as Lydia would ask Darcy for "anorexia lessons," the gifted actresses are able to make even the most unbelievable exchanges here ring true. An offbeat, thought-provoking film, this is highly recommended. (K. Fennessy)