Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Brilliant and touching

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

There is not much I can add to Hanleymac"s comments except I hope Richard Carpenter can find a way to completely stop this mess from ever being seen ANYWHERE!!! GET, IF YOU CAN, "THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY, 1989. I think you'll find it much more informative, and that it deals with Karen's suffering more than "Superstar". It, as I recall, helped make all of us aware of the problems associated with Anorexia and other eating disorders. "The Karen Carpenter Story" doesn't free the Carpenter family from some responsibility for what happened to Karen, but it doesn't bash them either. The attempt on the part of Harold and Agnes was simply to try and protect them (Karen and Richard) from the problems of the entertainment world. If my wife, Terrie and I had been their parents, we might possibly have done things the same way. As for "Superstar, The Karen Carpenter Story", it should be sent as far away as the East is from the West.

This movie stands as an indictment of the whole American Middle Class culture of the 70s and its associated hypocrisy.In the heart of the Age of Aquarius, Karen and Richard are selected to sell "young and innocent" as "happening" (one of the most hilarious lines in the film).The anorexia, the implied homosexuality of Richard (honey, we ALL KNEW back then...), the California Suburbian culture and the politics of the time are all woven into a vivid presentation of the sad reality of Karen's life.Despite all the "camp" associated with the film's style of presentation, the storyline is very direct and to the point: Karen, for whatever reason and despite all her success, remained anorexic.I suppose ultimately you might call this movie a "murder mystery" - since the causes of anorexia are still not known with any certainty.I think the only people who cannot find this movie involving are those who actually knew Karen. To them I say: this film, for all its irreverent humor, is still a tribute to her.

Having personally suffered from anorexia and bulimia, my family and I were shown this movie during my in-hospital treatment for my eating disorder. It is highly effective, touching, real, and it does not glamorize or sugarcoat the ugliness and devastation eating disorders cause. I would highly recommend it to anyone, as it starts at the beginning of Karen Carpenter's struggles and depicts her life-long struggle and untimely death. I feel it is a must for any young person facing weight issues, self-esteem issues, or anything of the sort. It is eloquently done, and a must see. The movie involves Barbie dolls, and while it may sound silly, it is so effective that it still makes me think today, ten years after my recovery.

Despite the poor video quality of the streaming version I had seen and the unreadable subtitling I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I found myself drawn into the story. When I originally sought it out, it was really out of little more than curiosity. I wanted to see the doll slowly shaved away. I wanted to see why it would be banned in the USA.There is so much more to this movie, though. I was dragged into the story by the music, something I didn't expect not being a fan. Karen Carpenter's voice seems more tinged with pain and surrender once you hear it contrasted against the turmoil of the early '70's and her own uncontrollable urges.Eventually her life and career spiral out of control until her death. This could possibly be the best film on anorexia nervosa and the price of success. Also, in a strange way, it appears to treat Karen Carpenter with respect. Well worth the viewing.