Heavy Weights (1995)

By Greg
Score 6/10

When I think of films that involve summer camps, my mind goes straight to the Friday the 13th series or Meatballs. (Not the lousy sequels, only the Bill Murray 1979 classic) Heavy Weights takes a stab at the summer camp story with the dreaded fat camp. Although myself I never endured a summer camp, films like Heavy Weights lets me appreciate what I didn't miss.

This film is the harrowing tale of Gerry (Aaron Schwartz), a boy who is husky and sent off to Camp Hope, a camp for fat kids. Gerry is the portrait of American male youth. He's genuine, sincere and struggling to find appreciation with parents/adults and his peers, especially the ladies. Upon arriving he easily fits in with the rest of his cabin mates and Camp Counselor, Pat. (Tom McGowan) Of course the fat camp paradise of hidden treats and "The Blob", a giant inflatable that launches one in the air when another lands on the opposing end, comes to a sudden halt when camp owners Harvey and Alice Bushkin (real life couple Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara) have to sell the camp due to a crooked accountant. The camp is sold to Tony Perkins (Ben Stiller), an extreme fitness nut and wants to use the fat camp as a background for a fitness program and video aimed at the chunky youth of America.

Of course, plenty of fat jokes, camp jokes and awkward situations for any young male boy. an awkward dance with a camp of girls. Gerry prevails. Pat and Gerry have some heartfelt touching moments. It all comes to the traditional camp film ending of going head to head with an opposing and much more elite summer camp. Will Camp Hope prevail? Only this Disney classic film tells that tale.

The film is a favorite filler for cable networks, its Disney so the film is mellow with the jokes and if the viewer can get past the hokey jokes, its not a bad movie. Judd Apatow co-wrote the film with Stephen Brill who also directed. Plenty of other actors that have made names for themselves also appear in the film. Its a fun film to watch with the family, kids or alone.

Starring: Aaron Schwartz, Tom McGowan and Ben Stiller
Directed by: Stephen Brill
Budget/Gross: N/A and $17,689,177 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Tomatometer: 20% critics and 75% audience liked it