Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987) | Directed by Todd Haynes | Region-Free (DVD)

**Disc only**

VHS Source.

Title: Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987)

Genre: Biography, Drama, Music

Plot Synopsis:
This experimental short film portrays the last 17 years of singer Karen Carpenter’s life, focusing on her struggle with anorexia nervosa and the cultural impact of The Carpenters in the 1970s. Using modified Barbie dolls as stand-ins for the characters, the film presents a surreal yet deeply emotional depiction of Karen’s rise to fame and tragic battle with an eating disorder.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Todd Haynes
• Writers: Todd Haynes, Cynthia Schneider
• Cast:
  • Merrill Gruver as Karen Carpenter (voice)
  • Michael Edwards as Richard Carpenter (voice)
  • Melissa Brown as Agnes Carpenter (voice)
  • Rob LaBelle as Mr. A&M (voice)
  • Gwen Kraus as Narrator (voice)

IMDb Link:
Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987) 

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Peter Strickland – ★★★★
   “The use of Barbie dolls is inventive and successfully conveys the idiocy of objectifying women’s bodies. Haynes examines the Carpenter phenomenon without succumbing to sensationalism.”

2. CucumberCarlos – ★★★★★
   “Todd Haynes takes an unfortunate tragedy and presents it in a way that never feels exploitative. He examines the factors leading to Karen Carpenter’s death while using Barbie dolls as a metaphor, giving the film an uncanny feeling.”

3. GargusSCP – ★★★★½
   “I cannot conceive of a version of Superstar from a more mature artist that imparts as much pain and outrage as the actual film. Common sense and decency do not have a place in the conversation about what happened to Karen Carpenter.”

4. Sally Jane Black – ★★★★
   “It’s mind-blowing how much emotion Haynes gets out of a Barbie doll. He turns plastic, fake objects into a truly moving story that combines elements of public service announcements and scathing satire.”

5. Willow Maclay – ★★★★★
   “One of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen because it’s all true, and it’s still happening. Karen Carpenter was a martyr. She did not deserve to die, and her death is not her fault.”

Meta Description:
Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987) is an experimental biographical short film directed by Todd Haynes. Using modified Barbie dolls, it explores Karen Carpenter’s life, her rise to fame, and her struggle with anorexia nervosa. The film offers a poignant critique of societal pressures and the objectification of women in the entertainment industry.