Barry Levinson To Direct Film Funded By Glaxo
7 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // January 27th, 2010 // 8:28 am
The Academy Award-winning director of ‘Rain Man’ and many other flicks just signed on to direct the controversial movie about obesity, which GlaxoSmithKline agreed to underwrite. The drugmaker continues to insist the effort is a philanthropic initiative - its share of revenues will be given to charity - and is designed to raise awareness (background).
But yes, Glaxo does acknowledge selling the Alli diet pill, although the drugmaker continues to maintain that the Creative Coalition, a non-profit political and social advocacy group with backing from such stars as Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon, will have creative control. You can read a chat with a Glaxo exec in The Wrap.
Justice in MI
Definitely quoteable:
““The evolution of the obesity crisis in America is a fascinating and compelling human story. It’s the hidden enemy within our borders that no one talks about,” Levinson said in a statement.”
Do Americans talk about anything else?
Anne PME
Will they mention the problems with counterfeit Alli?
Maybe this is just me, and I hope that he does not take this personally, but I really don’t want Barry Levinson or anyone else from the entertainment industry involved in or influencing my medical treatment.
Rather than spend money on a movie, maybe this money would be better spent by GSK on lowering the cost of some or all of their medicines here in the US.
where is my handout
nemeroff can be the main guy in the film!
patrons99
Pharma moving into the movie making business. Why not? They’ve infiltrated and control nearly every other area of our lives. I don’t recall it being this bad 20 years ago. Why shouldn’t we look to Hollywood types (Baldwin, Sarandon, Penn, Oprah, Levinson, etc) for unbiased healthcare advice? Glaxo assures us that its strictly a “philanthropic initiative”. I’m buying it. How about you? The phrase ‘hapless gulls’ comes to mind.
Helen of Troy
If Dan Troy is willing to take point in an aerobics video, I’m for it.
online pharmacy
Very interesting posts and well written.
pharmavet
I would pose the question: what is a celebrity? I have met Bob Greene, who is Oprah Winfrey’s personal trainer, which makes him a celebrity in his own right. Bob has written books on sensible diet, exercise and lifestyle approaches to obesity, and is a respected authority in his field. We should be careful in lumping all “celebrities” in the same basket.