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'To the Bone'

U.S. Dramatic; 107 minutes.

Longtime TV writer/producer Marti Noxon makes a sure-footed feature directorial debut with "To the Bone," a drama about eating disorders that doesn't feel cliched or hectoring.

Ellen (Lily Collins) has anorexia, and has been through various in-patient and other treatments with little to show for it. She has just left Phoenix, where her fragile mom (Lili Taylor) lives with her New Agey wife Olive (Brooke Smith), to stay with her never-seen father, her prim stepmom Susan (Carrie Preston) and her half-sister Kelly (Liana Liberato, who between this and "Novitiate" is emerging from Sundance as someone to watch).

Ellen gets a last-ditch opportunity at treatment, with an unconventional but much sought-after doctor, Dr. Beckham (Keanu Reeves). Ellen moves into a treatment facility, a house with six other patients dealing with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating.

Ellen resists Dr. Beckham's tough-love measures at first, but soon settles into the house's routines and befriends the other patients. She gets particularly drawn to Luke (Alex Sharp), a ballet dancer with a damaged knee and a struggle with anorexia.

Noxon, who wrote and directed, has called "To the Bone" semi-autobiographical, because she has dealt with eating disorders in her own life. That familiarity with the subject comes through in the sharp details of Ellen's and the other patients' disorders. Noxon also leavens the subject's seriousness with perfectly calibrated dark humor.

Collins gives a touching performance as a young woman who isn't sure she's worthy of being saved. She leads a strong ensemble cast that includes Alanna Ubach and Leslie Bibb. The nicest surprise is Reeves, who gives the most down-to-earth performance of his career.

Considering all the issues "To the Bone" covers, the movie easily could have devolved into a bad Lifetime movie. It's a credit to Noxon's sterling wit, and her great sensitivity, that the movie delivers a powerful emotional punch.

– Sean P. Means —

Also showing:

"To the Bone" screens again at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival at the following times and venues:

• Monday, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City

• Tuesday, Jan. 24, 9:30 p.m., Redstone Cinema 1, Park City

• Thursday, Jan. 26, 8:30 p.m., The MARC, Park City

• Friday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m., Yarrow Hotel Theatre, Park City

• Saturday, Jan. 28, noon, Sundance Mountain Resort Screening Room