Breast Men

Director: Lawrence O'Neil Lawrence O'Neil

Overview

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.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/16/2013
UPC:	0883316778579
Original Release:	1997
Rating:	R
Source:	Hbo Archives
Language:	English
Time:	1:32:00
Sales rank:	47,652

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

David Schwimmer	Dr. Kevin Saunders
Chris Cooper	Dr. William Larson
Emily Procter	Laura
Matt Frewer	Sheril Kram
Louise Fletcher	Mrs. Saunders
Faye Grant	Anne Larson
John Stockwell	Robert Renaud
Kathleen Wilhoite	Timmi-Jean Lindsey
Research Scientist	Lyle Lovett
Terry O'Quinn	Hersch Lawyer
Lisa Marie	Vanessa
Michael Cavanaugh	Harry
Michael Chieffo	Dave
Pat Cronin	Committee Head
Amanda Foreman	Lola
Lyle Lovett	Research Scientist
Julie McCullough	1970's Head Receptionist
Rena Riffel	Swimming Pool Girl
Raphael Sbarge	Larson's Lawyer
David Wells	Lewis
Colleen Werthmann	1900's Receptionist
Eve Plumb	Mocher
Xander Berkeley	Male Interviewer
Judith Hoag	Valerie
Dennis McCarthy	Composer

Technical Credits

John Stockwell

Lawrence O'Neil	Director
Gary Lucchesi	Executive Producer
Penny Perry	Casting
Guy Riedel	Producer
Gordon Smith	Special Effects
Guy Roedel	Producer
Don Cerrone	Key Grip
John Archibald	Key Grip
John Stockwell	Screenwriter
Bruce Carson	Stunts
Chea Tennille	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

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.

All Movie Guide - Brian J. Dillard