Stephen King’s novel, published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, works well as a movie. Billy (Robert John Burke) is a prosperous lawyer who secures an acquittal for mobster Richie (Joe Mantegna). He's attempting to lose weight, currently weighing three hundred pounds. One evening while driving home, his wife Heidi (Lucinda Jenney) starts being affectionate with him in the car. During this intimate moment, Billy doesn’t see an elderly Romani woman walking across the street, hits her, and kills her. The judge and police chief join forces to conceal the incident, and the death is recorded as an accident. This outcome does not satisfy the old woman's even older father, Lempke (Michael Constantine), who touches Billy’s cheek and whispers the film’s title. Soon, Billy begins losing three or four pounds daily. He seems to be vanishing before everyone’s eyes, but worry starts to grow. Despite consuming twelve thousand calories a day, he continues to lose weight, and now Heidi and his doctor (Sam Freed) are spending an unusual amount of time together. Billy decides to search for the Romani people, especially after hearing about and seeing other individuals involved in the cover-up being cursed as well, and mistakenly asks Richie to assist him. Greg Cannom’s special effects make-up is remarkable. He has previously won Oscars, and he should have earned another for this film. Burke is entirely convincing as he loses weight from three hundred to 124 pounds throughout the story. It's a credit to his acting that it works so well alongside the impressive makeup. He doesn’t allow all of the latex and rubber to hinder him, and manages to portray a progression from sympathetic to somewhat unhinged. Jenney is also good as Heidi, although her role often falls into the familiar "supportive wife" trope. The film's initial hour is very suspenseful; Billy is pursuing the Romani people while the authorities are after him. However, the movie’s biggest weakness was also a problem with the novel—having Richie, a convenient friend from the mob, help in seeking revenge on the Romani. Mantegna is one of those talented actors who doesn't always get the recognition he deserves, but here his character feels like a simplified version of the mob figures he has played before, particularly on "The Simpsons"—it’s hard not to hear Fat Tony when he speaks. Holland’s direction keeps things moving well; it was surprising that he filmed this on location in Maine rather than going to Canada as most Hollywood productions do, but the screenplay feels hurried for much of the time. I have to wonder if this would have been more effective as a limited television series, something King has done previously. I was taken aback by "Thinner." Considering how some filmmakers have handled King's stories, it’s a better adaptation in that context. With strong and believable makeup and gore effects, combined with an outstanding lead performance, I recommend this film.

Source on TMDB