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‘Vegetarian Nigella’ and flirty hair flips: John Early and Kate Berlant take on diet culture in new influencer satire
In his directorial debut Maddie’s Secret, Early plays a food influencer with bulimia in a wild flip on the modern melodrama
TL;DR
- John Early's directorial debut, 'Maddie's Secret,' features him as a food influencer named Maddie who battles bulimia.
- The film is inspired by 1980s and 1990s TV movies that sensationalized and explored bulimia, blended with modern influencer culture.
- Maddie's Secret humorously satirizes the influencer world while honestly addressing diet culture and lingering body image issues.
- The movie balances comedic moments, often derived from character mannerisms and retro tropes, with dramatic shifts as Maddie's health deteriorates.
- Early's performance is noted for its ability to transition from humor to empathy, particularly as Maddie pursues career opportunities at the expense of her health.
- Long-time collaborator Kate Berlant plays Maddie's best friend, Deena, contributing to the film's energetic dynamic.
- The film draws parallels between past diet culture influences and current societal confusions around weight and body positivity.
- Early's artistic choices, including casting himself as Maddie, are seen as experimental yet aiming for traditional entertainment value.