Rose Byrne, the acclaimed actress, has captivated audiences with her portrayal of Sheila Rubin in the Apple TV+ dramedy "Physical." Set in 1980s San Diego, the show explores Sheila's struggles with body image, an eating disorder, and her eventual rise in the burgeoning world of aerobics. This article delves into Byrne's experiences preparing for the role, the show's themes, and the broader context of weight loss, diet, and exercise in Hollywood and society.
Morning Rituals and Internal Battles
In "Physical," Sheila Rubin presents an image of a flawless housewife, but beneath the surface, she is engaged in a fierce battle with herself. Her morning ritual involves purging after consuming large amounts of greasy food, a stark illustration of her disordered eating habits. This internal conflict is a driving force in the series, as Sheila grapples with her self-image and seeks a way to gain control over her life.
The Allure of Aerobics
Sheila finds an unexpected outlet in aerobics, which transforms her life. She sees an opportunity to dominate and ride the entrepreneurial wave of the 1980s. Along the way, she is willing to lie, steal, and undermine to get what she needs. This pursuit of physical strength and economic power becomes a means of liberation for Sheila, offering her a different way to have autonomy.
Exploring Antihero Territory
"Physical" delves into antihero territory, portraying Sheila as a complex and sometimes unlikeable character. Her internal monologue is filled with rage, and the camera captures her visceral bodily disgust. This unflinching portrayal of disordered eating sets the show apart, as it explores a topic that is often considered a no-go zone in pop culture.
The ’80s Backlash Against Feminism
The series also touches on the backlash against feminist gains in the 1980s. Sheila, who would have been part of the feminist movement, feels stuck and unable to articulate her frustrations. Her husband, Danny, outwardly supports progressive views but is regressive in his gender dynamics within the domestic space. This disillusionment leads Sheila to seek autonomy through physical strength and economic power.
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The "Me" Decade and Self-Optimization
"Physical" captures the shift from the collective ideals of the 1960s to the self-help and self-optimization movements of the 1980s. The focus shifts from collective revolution to individual improvement. Sheila's journey reflects this transition, as she abandons the collective and embraces the idea of improving herself.
The Brutal Internal Voice
Sheila's internal voice is brutal and recognizable for many women. Byrne admits that filming the domestic storyline was challenging and affected her sleep. The dysfunctional marriage and the constant negativity took a toll on her.
Addressing Triggering Content
The creators of "Physical" were mindful of the potential to trigger viewers with eating disorders. Warnings are included at the start of the show, and resources are provided for those who may need help. The goal was to depict disordered eating honestly, with sensitivity and compassion, in a way that would have been healing for those who have struggled with similar issues.
The Cyclical Nature of Addiction
"Physical" captures the cyclical nature of addiction, as Sheila constantly tells herself that "this is the last time." The show explores the scary and real aspects of addiction, without being exploitative. The hope is that viewers can recognize their capacity to lock away desires and feelings that they have shame about.
Embracing Entrepreneurialism
As the series progresses, Sheila starts thinking about making aerobics videos. She channels her rage into entrepreneurial drive, starting a new business in a female space. This occurs at a time when women were not readily given business opportunities unless their husbands cosigned on the loan.
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Imperfect and Unlikeable Female Characters
"Physical" embraces the concept of imperfect and unlikeable female characters. Sheila is someone with unexpected complexity and un-likability under the surface that she conceals well. Her illness disconnects her from others, leading her to lie and cheat to get what she needs. The show raises questions about whether audiences should root for her, even though she is doing these things.
Cathartic Storytelling
Creator Annie Weisman found it liberating to dig into things she was ashamed to talk about and share. By exploring her own experiences with an eating disorder, she was able to create a story that resonated with others who have struggled with similar issues.
Rose Byrne's Transformation into Sheila Rubin
Byrne's portrayal of Sheila Rubin required her to radiate despair while performing aerobics in revealing outfits. She drew inspiration from Susan Sarandon's advice about focusing on the task at hand to avoid self-consciousness. Byrne related to Sheila's harshly critical inner voice, noting that women can be incredibly self-destructive in what they do to themselves and their bodies.
Beyond Nostalgia: Exploring Darkness
"Physical" is more than just a nostalgic romp through the ’80s. It delves into the darkness that creator Annie Weisman experienced in her life as a Southern California native. Byrne's versatility allowed her to capture the complexity of the character, showcasing comedic and dark elements simultaneously.
Thematic Connections to "Mrs. America"
Byrne noted that "Physical" felt like a companion piece to "Mrs. America," as it explored the challenges women faced in the 1980s. Women are held to different standards and face the pressure of always keeping it together and being able to do 50 things at once.
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Inspiration from Real-Life Figures
Byrne drew inspiration from Annie Weisman's life and the entrepreneurs of the time, such as Suzanne Somers. She also looked to Cindy Crawford and her workout tapes for inspiration.
The Evolution of Aerobics Routines
Byrne worked with choreographer Jennifer Hamilton to develop Sheila's aerobics routines. They focused on the evolution of Sheila's moves and the opportunity to be less self-conscious as an actor.
The Significance of Costumes
The costumes in "Physical" play a crucial role in portraying the era and the character's journey. Costume designer Kameron Lennox paid meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the leotards and other garments were authentic to the period.
The Show's Timeliness
Byrne believes that "Physical" is timely because it reflects on the power and access the feminist movement had in the past. The show also highlights the fact that the Equal Rights Amendment has still not been ratified.
The Impact of "Damages"
Byrne considers her role in the TV drama "Damages" as a turning point in her career. The show examined a professional female relationship and had a lasting impact on the creative landscape.
Exercise as a Juggling Act
As a working mom-of-two, Byrne admits that exercise is a juggling act. She tries to find time for long walks, hikes, and yoga. She also enjoys strength training and swimming.
The Importance of Real Food
Byrne grew up with foodie parents who instilled in her the idea of real food. She tries to eat lots of fruit, vegetables, and lean protein. She also believes in moderation and allowing herself to enjoy the foods she likes.
Depicting Disordered Eating with Levity
"Physical" handles Sheila's disordered mind with levity, showing just how absurd her thinking can be. The show highlights the obscenity of Sheila's gorging, demonstrating that disordered eating is not always as linear as just starving all the time.
Eating Disorders and Trauma
The show explores the connection between eating disorders and trauma. Sheila's disordered eating is a consequence of trauma, and she is reaching for control over a body that feels alien to her.
The Chaotic Timeline of Recovery
"Physical" reflects the chaotic timeline of recovery, with Sheila taking steps forward and steps back. The show acknowledges that undoing years of obsession and trauma is not easy and that relapses are common.
The Cost of Personal Betterment
"Physical" asks what the cost of personal betterment is. Sheila's relentless inner monologue and her actions often hurt other people, particularly her friend Greta.
Dispelling Myths about Eating Disorders
"Physical" dispels myths about eating disorders, such as the idea that all people with EDs are skinny women who hate fat people. The show highlights the fact that less than 6% of those with eating disorders are ever medically diagnosed as underweight.
A Grimly Funny Take on a Difficult Topic
"Physical" creates something grimly funny from a difficult topic. It offers dark relatability to those who have experienced the barbed tongue of an inner monologue like Sheila's.
The Contradiction of Exercise as a Commodity
"Physical" lays bare the contradiction at the heart of exercise as a commodity. What is supposed to make you healthier can actually keep you prisoner to your unhealthiest habits.
The Importance of a Female Crew
Weisman assembled a largely female crew for "Physical," believing that they would better understand the perspective of women struggling with body image and eating disorders.
Inspiration from Aerobics Idols
Weisman looked to real-life aerobics idols for inspiration, including Jane Fonda, Gilda Marx, and Bess Motta.
Capturing the Cult-Like Atmosphere
Byrne was interested in capturing the cult-like atmosphere of the early aerobics scene. She explored the personalities and drives of those who cultivated a following, such as Tony Robbins and Jenny Craig.
San Diego as a Unique Setting
"Physical" is set in San Diego, a city that is often overlooked in favor of Los Angeles. San Diego's obscurity makes it the ideal setting for a story about someone who is consistently overlooked.
Season 2: A Deeper Dive into Sheila's Journey
Season 2 of "Physical" finds Sheila taking leaps and bounds toward becoming a fitness star. She begins to recover from her eating disorder, engages in passionate affairs, and goes toe-to-toe with a rival fitness instructor.
The Mercurial and Complicated Protagonist
Byrne describes Sheila as a very mercurial and complicated protagonist. She enjoys the immersive experience of stepping back onto the set and exploring the character's evolution.
Exploring Success and Illness
The show explores what success reveals in a person and how Sheila's illness changes and evolves. It delves into the trajectory of her journey and the challenges she faces along the way.
A Complex and Dark Show
Byrne appreciates that "Physical" is a complex and dark show that is not a conventional comedy. She enjoys the fact that viewers can laugh, be intrigued, and be disturbed all at the same time.
Embrace Recovery and the Replacement of Addiction
A major factor in this season is seeing Sheila embrace the possibility of recovery from her eating disorder. The series also shows how she may be replacing one addiction with another as she starts an affair.
Unveiling the Reverse Engineering of Wellness
Byrne appreciates the aspect of the show that is sort of reverse-engineering how we are today with the business of wellness, and how we’re inundated with it. That had a beginning, and so she wanted to know more about what that beginning was, and the benefits and drawbacks of that.
The Show’s Relevance for Today
The show explores the benefits and drawbacks of the fitness industry and raises questions about how empowering it really is. It examines whether it is just serving the person who is making money from it and whether it is just an expression of their narcissism.
Addressing Eating Disorders Onscreen
There is still such a deep shame around it in a lot of instances. It can be a really hard thing to get people to talk about, and obviously, it’s such a personal decision to share your struggles with that sort of thing.
The Challenges of Aerobics Sequences
The physically demanding role requires Byrne to perform aerobics sequences, which only get bigger and more ambitious in the second season. She works with a choreographer to learn the sequences and get her cardio in shape.
The Chemistry with Murray Bartlett
Byrne has amazing comedic chemistry with Murray Bartlett, who joins the cast in season two. They quickly hit it off and enjoyed working together.
The Shift in Sheila’s Costumes
The costumes in "Physical" reflect Sheila's journey and the changes in fashion during that era. The costume designer considers the costumes, hair, wigs, and makeup as special effects that tell her story.
Ozempic: A Disturbing Fad?
In a recent interview, Byrne shared her thoughts on Ozempic, a drug for diabetics that has become popular as a weight loss aid. While she acknowledges that it can be beneficial for those who genuinely need it, she finds the rising misuse of it "a little disturbing."