User Reviews

Review this title
2 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
1/10
Shocking, We Were Invited To Laugh At Fat People
martimusross27 August 2019
Big In The Valleys

This was shocking, I must say the whole thing was tawdry and prurient, the whole documentary invited the viewer to laugh at the participants. Well I must say I don't find this very funny and the BBC should be ashamed.

Clearly morbid obesity stems from deep seated mental health problems, this is what lays behind these lives.

What they all have in common is they are all crying out for help and that can only come from external intervention. Being fat is not enough in itself to stop anyone living their dream, as being fat is a transition state and resilient people see it that way.

Lastly the programme does not sufficiently underline the point how important it is to blend, not to stand out as exceptional or noteworthy in a negative way.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Unusually sensitive look at obesity
davebennett-687802 February 2021
Unlike the previous reviewer, I found Big in the Valleys to be an unusually sensitive look at what it means, and feels like, to be fat. The subjects' stories are told entirely through their own words - there's no editorialising here. We hear of their hardships and difficulties and understand how these play a part in their obesity, but the programme makers don't attempt to cleanly parcel out blame to anyone or anything - obesity is a complex issue and there's never ever one "cause". I really liked and felt for the young people here and what they go through, and I felt they were treated with respect and empathy. This is a cut above the horrible "My 800 pound life" US shows.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed