Themes: Rise and Fall Stories, Doctors and Patients
Main Cast: David Schwimmer, Chris Cooper, Emily Procter, Matt Frewer, Louise Fletcher
Release Year: 1997
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This docudrama recaps the history of silicone breast implants, beginning in 1962 when idealistic Houston medical resident Kevin Saunders (David Schwimmer) gets an idea after seeing how women pad their bras. After he shares his notion with cosmetic pro Dr. William Larson (Chris Cooper), the two create a prosthetic breast from Dow-Corning's silicone gel. Approaching women on the street fails to bring volunteers, but a classified newspaper ad does the trick. As breast sizes increase, so do the doctors' bank accounts. However, physical problems emerge, followed by lawsuits, and the high life soon turns sour and grim. Filmed in LA, and Texas (Galveston, Houston), this TV movie premiered December 13, 1997 on HBO. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
Review
A silicone-injected precursor to Paul Thomas Anderson's popular Boogie Nights, this 1997 made-for-cable docudrama adapts the classic "pride goeth before the fall" template not to the porn industry, but to the related world of breast enhancement surgery. Sitcom star David Schwimmer strikes the right balance between humanitarian concern and horny hubris in his portrayal of Kevin Saunders, the young doctor who first dreams up the breast implant. Chris Cooper plays his mentor and business partner, Dr. William Larson, an older, respected surgeon whose high ideals eventually become eroded by the huge windfall the men enjoy after going into business with Dow Corning. The picture is giddy during the first act as Saunders tries to turn his vision into reality, then it turns naughty verging on sleazy during the second, as breasts and bank balances are enhanced in huge numbers onscreen. The tone of the final act, which follows the characters and the industry from monied excess to lawsuits and tragedy, doesn't quite, ahem, gel with the loopy tone of what went before. But taken as a whole, Lawrence O'Neil's picture is a fluffy, buoyant approximation of real life -- altogether appropriate considering the subject. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Penny Perry - Casting, Lawrence O'Neil - Director, Michael Jablow - Editor, Gary Lucchesi - Executive Producer, Kim Crabb - Location Manager, Dennis McCarthy - Composer (Music Score), Judy Yonemoto - Makeup, Roy Knyrim - Makeup Special Effects, Jerry Macaluso - Makeup Special Effects, Scott Tebeau - Makeup Special Effects, Stephen J. Ullman - Camera Operator, Jane Ann Stewart - Production Designer, Robert M. Stevens - Cinematographer, Guy Roedel - Producer, Bruce Carson - Stunts, Chea Tennille - Stunts, John Stockwell - Screenwriter, Russell Caldwell - Gaffer, Jimmy Keys - Gaffer, Don Cerrone - Key Grip, John Archibald - Key Grip, Jessica Alan - Post Production Supervisor, Kim Crabb - Production Coordinator, Jeffrey M. O'Brien - Properties Master, Monica Ochoa - Script Supervisor, Christina Fong - Second Assistant Director, Stephen J. Ullman - Steadicam Operator, Casey Cannon - Visual Effects Producer, Beat Frutiger - Assistant Art Director, Wendy Riseborough - Assistant Production Coordinator, Keith Wood - Assistant Properties, Wendy Weidman - Casting Associate, Rolf Eberlein - Electrician, Abiiba S. Howell - Extra Casting
