You are here:

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

Name: Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
Director: Joe Cross, Kurt Engfehr
Released: 2010
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2010

Director

Joe Cross, Kurt Engfehr

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film is a deeply personal documentary centered on Joe Cross's struggle with obesity and autoimmune disease. While it provides a gritty, unvarnished look at physical health and systemic bodily dysfunction, the narrative is narrow in its demographic scope. Its strength lies in its critique of the industrial food complex and capitalist structures. However, the film lacks breadth in representing various social identities and cultural perspectives, focusing almost entirely on a singular male experience within conventional wellness circles.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

There are no LGBTQ+ characters or narratives in the film. The story focuses solely on the protagonist's personal health journey.

How does Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead portray gender?

Limited

The film centers heavily on a male protagonist. It lacks a diverse range of gender perspectives and does not challenge traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead?

Fair

The film's representation remains conventional within the wellness industry. It does not prioritize a non-Anglo-Saxon majority cast or use actors from different backgrounds.

How does Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques the industrial food complex and corporate profit motives. It portrays the protagonist's dietary rebellion as a challenge to Western industrial institutions.

Does Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead include disability representation?

Fair

The documentary offers a raw look at chronic illness and autoimmune disease. It avoids 'inspiration porn' by focusing on the harsh realities of living with these conditions.

Present on Screen

Provides a raw, non-glamorous depiction of chronic illness and autoimmune struggles.
Offers a strong critique of the industrial food complex and corporate dietary influences.
Emphasizes individual ability to act and autonomy against systemic health failures.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight narratives.
The narrative is heavily centered on a single male perspective.
Does not feature a diverse range of racial or ethnic backgrounds.

Official Synopsis

100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health.

How are these scores produced? →