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does anyone else feel that the real Karen Carpenter story was done a great injustice by this movie? was it the bad acting portrayal of Richard, or the work of the worst wig designer in hollywood that was the distraction?? the lip-syncing, maybe???

Yes, but the cinematography ...wow. It blew me away.

Dude, and don't forget the fashion! And the lighting...OH and the key grip work. That was sublime.

I always say, it was a nice idea, it's a pity on how crap the film turned out!

So true!

The Karen Carpenter Story T.V. Movie is just what it is, y'all. It is a rather cheesy t.v. movie which reflects the majority of the production values and whatnot of the era it was made in.

Shoot, I grew up watching really dreadful t.v. movies with my granny, so I know what I am talking about here.

I have this flick and I do not mind it because it is better than nothing. But, I think a far better movie could be made out of the story of The Carpenters.

We don't like some parts. But if Richard wasn't involoved, worser movie might be made.
If Richard didn't, we cannot watch real house, cars or outfits, and new music.
If Richard didn't, someone would have made a movie.

I heard Richard talk about this movie in Japan in '80s. I asked my university class mate who lived in the U.S. to record the movie for me when it repeated, but she didn't have the channel. Finally another Carpenters group friend sent me a copy and I could watch it a few years ago.

Thank you, Richard.

Sakura

I agree.



I agree.

Richard described the movie as a "docu-drama, with the emphasis on drama".

Hi!
I waited 15 years to find that movie aired here in Uruguay!
A couple of things caught my attention: Richard tryed so many times to avoid the subjet that Agnes could have had something to do (someone might think) in Karen´s disorder. You know, the way they were raised, the fact that they weren´t a touching and hugging family, etc.
At the beggining of Ray Coleman´s book we find that Levenkron said that when asked, Agnes rose and hugged Karen to show her that she loved her.
The same scene is different on The KC Story, we don´t see that hug, but an angry Agnes saying something like "you don´t understand our family, we don´t need to do that to show we love each other!"
Well, that doesn´t speack too well of a mother under Karen´s life´circunstances...
Why did Richard allowed that by then, being in touch with the whole proyect.
And what was what really happened during that sesion in Levenkron´s office?

I would believe the Coleman book over the movie. I think more than likely Agnes did go and hug Karen. I think Levenkron mentioned that it was such an emotional moment between mother/daughter that he had to look away because it was so intense. In the new BBC documentary, we see Joan saying that Agnes was very hurt that doctors told her she had to show love to Karen, because she loved Karen deeply and thought she already did.

I think life is complicated, and sometimes parents make mistakes even with the best of intentions. In my opinion Agnes totally loved Karen and loved her the best she could, like most moms.

I couldn't be more with

I agree...for years, feminists have been ranting about how anorexia is caused by lack of affection, patriarchy or seeing skinny models in magazines...but all the latest medical research indicates anorexia really just is a chemical imbalance in the brain...and it can be treated with hormone replacement and monitoring brain activity, rather than the way feminists hijacked rehabilitation centres in the 90s with their touchy-feely, "it's-not-your-fault" support groups which blamed parents and men...

Whether Agnes was affectionate or not...Karen would probably have had anorexia regardless...I'm beginning to think it's something you're born with...
Edited by NeutronBomb, 16 April 2007 - 08:50 PM.

I'm of the impression that Karen and Richard never had any doubts about their parents' love for them. Karen was dissatisfied with herself, not her mother.

Well, I wouldn't agree that anorexia is just a brain thing...I think it's mainly psychological and has a lot to do with life circumstances and one's personality...I just don't believe we should sit around blaming parents - even if some of their actions did contribute to their child developing anorexia.

I've never known anorexia to be cured with hormone replacement or by monitoring brain activity, where did you hear that?


And um, some feminists may be too extreme, but feminism overall is a good thing.

It's like animal rights. A good thing, but some groups--like PETA--can take a little far in the name of drawing attention to the cause. And it turns some people off. But the cause is a good and necessary thing.

I have also never heard of the hormone replacement thing. I personally think THAT is a little extreme.