America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments

The compelling documentary, America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments, from 2011, is a cinematic follow-up to the initial 2007 documentary, America the Beautiful, both directed and produced by Darryl Roberts. This film takes the audience on a profound journey into the captivating world of diet and body image, casting a revealing light on an often obscured yet prevalent cultural issue.

The film stars several well-known figures including Ragen Chastain, a prominent body positive activist, mental health advocate, and speaker. Alongside her, America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments features the world-renowned alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra and the former US president, Bill Clinton. The inclusion of these influential individuals provides the documentary with authoritative voices that aid in amplifying its overarching message.

The film examines the obesity epidemic in the United States and the dangers of dieting, offering thought-provoking insights into society's seemingly perpetual quest for the 'perfect' body. The documentary is titled 'The Thin Commandments' to reflect society's near-religious adherence to extreme thinness as an ideal of beauty. It delves into the underpinnings of this thin-obsessed culture, systematically questioning the validity of these standards, and encouraging viewers to consider these conventions differently.

In America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments, Roberts uses engaging storytelling to question the validity and healthiness of disproportionate body image standards set by the media and modern culture. It further challenges the pervasive dichotomy of categorization into 'thin' and 'not thin,' arguing that this framing has the potential to foster harmful behaviors among individuals in their pursuit of societal acceptance and acclaim.

The documentary successfully combines personal accounts, expert interviews, scientific research, and narration to build an enthralling narrative around the subject of body acceptance. It encourages viewers to confront their prejudices and preconceived notions about body weight, beauty, and health.

Ragen Chastain, as a central figure in the film, provides a personal touch with her experiences and anecdotes about body acceptance and positivity. Her overall journey, along with her interactions with other film participants, provides an engaging and relatable narrative about the struggles and victories that come with navigating societal expectations and pressures associated with body image.

In addition, the documentary features Deepak Chopra, who brings his signature wisdom about holistic health, wellness, and happiness. His traditional wisdom combined with modern perspectives on health complement the documentary's message, challenging the traditional perspectives on body image.

Much of the film’s impact comes from the inclusion of Bill Clinton, a prominent political figure, who has had his personal experience battling weight-related health issues. His participation adds gravitas to the film's message, reinforcing how arbitrary standards of beauty and health can affect us, regardless if we're ordinary citizens or well-known political figures.

The film places a strong emphasis on research, featuring interviews and case studies with medical professionals and health experts. The presentation of scientific findings complements the personal stories and expert opinions to create a balanced, well-rounded, and informed documentary. This approach supports the film's agenda to break down societal norms surrounding beauty and body image and allow for diversity in the understanding of healthy bodies.

Moreover, America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments includes a series of emotional and personal interviews with individuals who have grappled with societal pressures regarding body image. These interviews function as testimonies to the human consequences of the cultural obsession with thinness and dieting, urging viewers to confront the realities and often devastating outcomes of this pursuit.

A strong undercurrent of the film is its critique of the diet industry. Roberts raises questions about the multiple standard indices used to measure health and fitness, highlighting the profit-seeking nature of this multi-billion dollar industry. He skillfully exposes the manipulative marketing tactics and questionable products promising quick and easy weight loss, engendering skepticism among viewers about the claims and promises of the dieting industry.

Overall, America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments explores weighty and deep-seated societal issues with sensitivity, depth, and thoughtful insight. It’s an invitation to audiences to challenge their perspectives on body image, beauty, and health. The gripping narratives, personal experiences, and credible voices in this documentary make for a meaningful watching experience that provokes valuable conversations around body positivity, health, and beauty standards in today’s society.