Photo: courtesy of AMazon Studios.
Jillian Bell's weight loss story is intertwined with the film "Brittany Runs a Marathon," a movie that transcends the typical weight loss narrative. It's a story of self-discovery, emotional growth, and the complexities of body image, both on and off-screen. This article delves into Bell's personal journey, the true story that inspired the film, and the important messages the movie conveys about self-acceptance and the pursuit of personal goals.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind "Brittany Runs a Marathon"
"Brittany Runs a Marathon" isn't just a fictional tale; it's inspired by the real-life experiences of Brittany O'Neill, a friend and former roommate of the film's writer and director, Paul Downs Colaizzo. Colaizzo witnessed O'Neill's transformation firsthand as she embarked on her running journey in 2011. Unlike the character in the movie, O’Neill began in the gym in 2011 and soon graduated from the treadmill to running in the park. He watched her realize she was capable of more than she thought she was, enduring a thrilling and arduous crucible of personal change. Brittany began to shift what she expected from herself. It was a triumph, and I got to witness it.”
After eight months of running, O’Neill set her sights on completing a marathon. She trained using the book Advanced Marathon and the music of Beyonce and Salt n’ Pepa. In November 2014, O’Neill completed the New York Marathon in under her goal time of four hours.
O'Neill's decision to drastically change her life through running served as the catalyst for the film's creation. Her story resonated with Colaizzo, who saw it as a powerful example of self-agency and the pursuit of self-respect.
Read also: Jillian Michaels Diet Guide
Jillian Bell's Physical and Emotional Transformation
Jillian Bell not only starred in "Brittany Runs a Marathon" but also underwent her own transformation to better understand her character's emotional journey. Bell lost 40 pounds while filming the movie to better understand Brittany's emotional journey. She committed to running, mirroring Brittany's journey from couch potato to marathon runner.
Bell also becomes a runner- her technique purposefully changes over the course of the movie. In early scenes, Bell didn't work with a trainer. Once Brittany moves out of the amateur phase, Bell was coached by a professional marathon training runner. This physical transformation allowed her to connect with the character on a deeper level, understanding the challenges and triumphs Brittany experienced.
The Pressures of Weight Loss and Body Image
Bell's weight loss journey wasn't without its challenges. The experience, she said, helped to inform the character’s emotional state. She found herself grappling with societal expectations and the pressures of conforming to certain beauty standards. Because of the independent film’s tight production schedule - it was shot in just 29 days - Bell was sometimes required to wear prosthetics and a body suit to look bigger. She found the constant shift in appearance mentally challenging. With the extra weight off, she noticed crew members remarking on how beautiful she looked. When she had a pooch, nobody commented on her looks - or even thought to compliment the color of her dress.
The more weight she lost, the more alone she felt. She began looking at different women, evaluating their bodies and judging whether or not she was bigger or smaller than them. When she wrapped the film, she was skinnier than she’d ever been, but she was unhappy. The film also touches on the dangers of conflating weight loss with self-worth, a trap that Brittany herself falls into for a while.
"Brittany Runs a Marathon": More Than Just a Weight Loss Story
While the film depicts Brittany's physical transformation, its core message goes far beyond weight loss. For a while, Brittany does conflate the number on the scale with self-worth. She becomes addicted to watching the numbers drop. So abandoning that attitude is part of her journey, too. The film explores themes of self-acceptance, the importance of setting goals, and the power of believing in oneself.
Read also: Eating Keto at Taco Bell
"I like that it could inspire people to set a big goal and believe they’re capable of more than they think," O'Neill said. "I think a lot of people think that when you try to make a big change, it’s an act of self-hatred or you’re trying to run away from something. But it can be an act of self-love, where you want something more for yourself.”
The movie encourages viewers to embrace their own journeys, regardless of their size or shape, and to focus on personal growth and self-discovery.
Meeting the Real Brittany
At the end of filming, Bell got to meet the real Brittany. The instant Brittany O’Neill found out that a film about her life was going to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, she started dieting. The movie is, after all, a transformation story of how she’d gone from an unmotivated, out-of-shape twentysomething to a healthy marathoner who finished the 26.2-mile New York City race in under four hours. “The constant refrain with my friends became: ‘I can’t eat anything, I’m going to Sundance,’” O’Neill recalled. “I was like, ‘I have to look like an “after” photo.’”
And when she flew to Utah last January for the debut of “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” she had dropped a lot of weight - one pound away from the ideal number she’d long dreamed of seeing on the scale. But her thin frame wasn’t received as positively as she’d hoped. Upon greeting Jillian Bell, the actress who plays her in the film, O’Neill was met with concern.
“I said something like, ‘Hey, I adore you, and I don’t know how to talk about this because it’s sensitive for all of us, but I want to make sure you’re OK,’” said Bell. “‘Are you eating regularly? Are you all right?’ You’re not normally in the public eye, and that’s a lot of pressure.”
Read also: Taco Bell on a Diet
“And of course, I was like, ‘Jillian thinks I’m too skinny!’” O’Neill said with a laugh. “It’s so sick. But my growth has been exponential because of that experience.”
The Film's Impact and Reception
"Brittany Runs a Marathon" resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning praise for its authentic portrayal of weight loss, body image, and self-discovery. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film had an approval rating of 89% based on 191 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The film was sensationally received at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the audience award and igniting a bidding war that culminated in Amazon Studios buying the film for $14 million. It has inspired many to set their own goals and believe in their ability to achieve them.
Jillian Bell's Reflections on the Experience
Bell has spoken openly about the impact the film had on her own life. "I think it changed the way I talk to myself and it changed the way I look at my own body," says Bell, who has also made an effort to tell fewer self-deprecating jokes since playing Brittany. She hopes that viewers will take away a message of self-acceptance and the importance of prioritizing their own well-being.
A Transformation Tale with a Twist
"Brittany Runs a Marathon" is a transformation tale, but not the kind where “someone loses weight and then their life’s immediately great and then it rolls the credits." Instead, Bell hopes viewers take away something more tangible. The film recognizes that weight loss is just one aspect of a larger journey toward self-improvement and that true happiness comes from within.
The Authenticity of "Brittany Runs a Marathon"
What I enjoyed most about “Brittany Runs a Marathon” was its authenticity. Bell also described how by running as a beginner, she better understood the script. When she went out for her first run, Bell’s sister filmed it so Bell would remember what it was like and how her posturing and breathing would evolve as she gained more experience and stamina. “I know that the first few runs I had when I was at home doing it on my own, they were tough and I was embarrassed and I felt very vulnerable,” Bell said. And that’s only part of what “Brittany Runs a Marathon” gets right.
Avoiding Clichés and Promoting Self-Acceptance
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Jillian Bell, of the new movie Brittany Runs A Marathon, about relating to her character's journey and making a movie that deals with weight without being cliche. Bell said, "For me, you can be happy and beautiful at any size. Now, there's a lot of things that deal with weight in this movie. If someone feels like they are healthy and they're happy in whatever size that is - whether it be thin or bigger or whatever - I just want women to know, like, you should feel happy with yourself. For Brittany, she was struggling with her health, and she decided to do something about it."