Thinner (1996)

Directed by: Tom Holland | 92 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda Jenney, Michael Constantine, Kari Wuhrer, Bethany Joy Lenz, Time Winters, Howard Erskine, Terrence Garmey, Randy Jurgensen, Jeff Ware, Antonette Schwatzberg, Terence Kava, Adriana Delphine, Ruth Miller, Walter Bobbie, John Horton, Daniel von Bargen, Irma St. Paule, Stephen King, Sam Freed, Elizabeth Franz, Patrick Farrelly, Bridget Marks, Mitchell Greenberg, Angela Pietropinto, Michael Kevin Walker, Ed Wheeler, Peter Maloney, Robert Fitch, Sean Hewitt , Josh Holland, Allelon Ruggiero

Gypsies do not often play the leading role on the silver screen, but in ‘Thinner’ their contribution is crucial. However, the film adaptation of a book by horror writer Stephen King contains more rarities. Other storylines follow, for example, an overweight lawyer, whose wife has a problem with the doctor, and a criminal who is more than happy to help his lawyer with violence. Complicated? Not too bad. Keep watching a fun, exciting movie.

The world’s most famous horror author is, as is often the case, part of the cast. King’s role is modest, but his presence arouses sympathy and, as it were, radiates his approval for a film adaptation of his story. To be fair, the other roles aren’t great.

For example, the role of teenage girl Lenz, the daughter of fat Burke, is downright weak. In any case, Burke does a lot better and fits well into a Stephen King story. At first you think you are dealing with a B actor, but the thinner Burke gradually becomes, the stronger his role.

The gypsies, who literally come into contact with the white elite of the town of Fairview, are led by the striking Lempke (Constantine). Constantine is a flashy caricature of the oldest member of a group of gypsies, which has a mysterious atmosphere about it. The elder is flanked by the attractive and feisty Wuhrer, who is not afraid to show off her body and raise a middle finger at outsiders. Spicy aunt! It is also important that you look beyond the exaggerated make-up and caricatures of characters.

If you expect serious roles, then ‘Thinner’ is not your film. The film should have underlying messages that make you think or make you smile. For example, the fate of the Burke, who is thinning rapidly, can be compared to the white man who thinks only of himself, eats, drinks and smokes too much and ends up paying the price for his behavior.

Director Tom Holland (‘Child’s Play’) deliberately uses the clichés about gypsies to hold up a mirror to you. For the white, the itinerant families are often a band of thieves, who drink all day and come up with nefarious plans. The women are always horny and have no morals. Quite a few scenes confront you with prejudice. When two gypsies enter a shop, the owner immediately watches them by looking in the mirrors. In another scene, the obese Burke looks into the eyes of the slender Wuhrer, who slowly takes off her clothes for him. In his dreams! The story, characters and atmosphere of ‘Thinner’ are very reminiscent of the ‘Twilight Zone’ series, which was popular in the mid-1980s. As a viewer you enter a different world, which turns out to be a reflection of your own reality.

Burke’s problems are recognizable to ordinary people. Many people struggle with their weight and most diets don’t work. Burke’s diet may be very effective, but it doesn’t deserve imitation!