Michael Scott
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Thinner
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
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Movie:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Final Score:

AV NIRVANA is member and reader-supported. When you purchase an item using our links, we might earn an affiliate commission.
1996’s Thinner has always been one of those controversial Stephen King movies. The film itself was based upon a paper thin premise of King’s, and that translated over into the mid 1990s horror film as well. I still get a chuckle out of the goofy premise, and the lack of horror is more due to the fact that said premise was more humorous than it was terrifying, and Robert John Burke’s over the top protagonist just adds to the hammy nature of it all. That being said, I still enjoy the snot out of Thinner just for the sake of the shock humor and the running fat gags that made me laugh when I was a teen in the 90s. Olive Films released King’s thriller some 14 years ago with great results, and it looks like Shout Studios has their crack at releasing a collector’s edition. Luckily the new scan looks and sounds great, and the bare bones Olive Films release is handily outclassed in the extras departments.
The story revolves around one Billy Halleck (Robert John Burke in a fat suit), a morbidly obese lawyer who seems to have a happy home life, and a successful career. His flexible morality allows him to defend scum bags and mafia crooks, but overall he’s a decent seeming fella. The only problem is that the 300 lb guy just can’t stop eating long enough to lose weight, despite the begging and help of his wife Heidi (Lucinda Jenney). However, his weight goals are taken out of his hand when he accidentally runs over a gypsy woman in his car and thanks to the help of the local judge and police chief, gets off without even a ticket.
The aged gypsy patriarch (Michael Constantine in a LOT of makeup) puts a curse on Billy, and suddenly the over fed lawyer is losing pounds hand over fist. At first it seems like a blessing. No one really believes in CURSES, and losing weight has been Billy and Heidi’s goal all along. But soon 30 extra pounds leads to 60 pounds lost. Then another 25, and soon after that another 15. Billy’s reticence to believe in curses is suddenly thrown out the window when it turns out that Police Chief Hopley (Daniel von Bargen, may he RIP) and the judge have both contracted conditions from their run in with the gypsies. Desperate to do anything, Billy enlists the aid of mobster Richie Ginelli (Joe Mantegna) due to being owed a favor, and sets out on a quest to lift the gypsy curse.
My major problems with the film stem from the goofiness of things, as well as a third act that seems to be anti-climactic. Spoilers ahead….The third act sets things up for a terrifying conclusion with Billy finally learning the hard way that he can’t really get out of the curse. Then it literally flips things on its head in the last 2-3 minutes, turning Billy from a tragic, but flawed, protagonist to mustache twirling villain in a matter of seconds. The entire weight of his loss is undercut by the cheesy double switch that just happened, and it sort of robs the movie of some of its power in my opinion.
Rating:
Rated R for horror violence and gore, language and sexuality
Video:

Audio:

Extras:

• NEW Audio Commentary With Film Critic/Historian Lee Gambin And Novelist Aaron Dries
• NEW "Weight Of The World" – An Interview With Director Tom Holland
• NEW "Thick And Thin" – An Interview With Actor Lucinda Jenney
• NEW "The Incredible Shrinking Man" With Special Make-Up Effects Artist Vincent Guastini
• Audio Commentary With Tom Holland And Joe Mantegna
• Vintage Featurette: "The Magic Of Special Effects Make-Up"
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spot
• Still Gallery
• Slipcover in First Pressing
Final Score: 

Thinner is a solid 1990s jaunt, but not one that will rival the greats of Stephen King’s lineage. It’s mostly fun in that goofy sort of “don’t take this too seriously” type of way rather than a truly terrifying experience. The Blu-ray release definitely outclasses the Olive Films presentation in the extras department alone, but the audio and video seem to be fairly similar (I’d give the edge to the new Scream Factory remaster, but the Olive release was already excellent), making this is a fun watch for Stephen King fans.
Technical Specifications:
Starring: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Lucidna Jenney, Daniel von Bargen
Directed by: Tom Holland
Written by: Stephen King (novel), Michael McDowell, Tom Holland
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 AVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles: English,
Studio: Scream Factory
Rated: R
Runtime: 92 minutes
Blu-Ray Release Date: January 23rd, 2024
Recommendation: Fun Watch