Solemplex
To me, this movie is perfection.
Huievest
Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Roman Sampson
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
Liz Anderson
Okay, first of all this movie is good, but dated. The music was awful and at times the songs they played that was popular back then is just so painful to listen to. There is one particular scene during the cheerleader tryouts where this one girl's cheer is so ridiculous you just have to laugh. It was a very good movie despite all of that though. Very dated as far as the handling and treatment of eating disorders though. It definitely has its campy moments but overall, the acting is great. It's far different from the book though. The family dynamic is totally different as is the type of residence they have. In the movie they live in a house, in the book it's an apartment. I really think the book is best, but for its time and all it's a pretty good movie. Also, they didn't use a body double for the skinny scenes. That was really J.J.L. She really lost all of that weight for the film.
triple8
Wow-I'm really surprised this movie didn't make more of a mark. Jennifer jason lee is absolutely great here playing a young girl who develops anorexia. It's one of the best roles I've ever seen, I don't care if its a tv movie! The whole cast in general was great in this.The only negative isn't really a negative, it's just a very tough movie to watch in spots. Well it would be, you can't make a movie about this subject and expect it not to be! The pluses far outweigh the negatives and if one is interested in the subject matter or a fan of Lee's this would be very definetly a good choice to view.It was actualy one of the first things I saw Lee in and helped make me a fan of hers. The movie also deals with a very tough subject matter in a realistic wellacted way.I think they could have got a better title but otherwise there's nothing negative to say about this movie at all.
Bolesroor
"The Best Little Girl In The World" is a made-for-TV movie dealing with anorexia/bulimia. While it does have that "After-School Special" feel, it features good performances from great actors. Charles Durning is excellent as always as Casey's angry, disinterested father, and Jennifer Jason Leigh really establishes herself here as a great actor. The downside to this movie? It's a bit melodramatic- for example, every time Casey stumbles from weakness a dozen horns blare from the soundtrack. And there are laughably funny moments, such as the New Year's Eve sequence, where Charles During tries to force-feed Casey peanut butter sandwiches until she gains weight. She winds up biting his hand like a snarling dog. Or when Casey takes off her robe to reveal her sickly-thin body, it's obviously a body double. But if you are looking for a movie that deals with this subject honestly and respectfully (as opposed to all those Lifetime movies in which a man is always at fault), "The Best Little Girl In The World" is worth tracking down.
Cyprus386
I saw this movie in health class as part of the eating disorders unit. I found it to be in the same category as "A Secret Between Friends": Better seen in class than at home. Everyone I know who saw this was disgusted by Casey's bulimic body. I know I was. The only major problem I see here was the anti-climactic ending. They could have definitely done more here.