Eating

Eating

Year: 1990

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: Henry Jaglom

DramaComedy

Driven by an overwhelming and inexplicable hunger, a man confronts a relentless compulsion to eat. As he struggles to understand the root of his unusual appetite, he begins a humorous and touching quest for self-understanding, encountering both the pleasures and the complications that come with his consuming desire.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Eating yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Eating (1990)

Trace every key event in Eating (1990) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Helene's Birthday Party Begins

Helene Bradley hosts her 40th birthday party at her Los Angeles home. Friends Sadie and Kate join her to celebrate their milestone birthdays, with Sadie approaching 50 and Kate recently reaching 30. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation as the women gather together.

Los Angeles, California
2

Martine Starts Filming

Martine, a French filmmaker, decides to document the party for a television project. She engages by asking the group about their relationships with food, setting the tone for a series of revealing discussions that will unfold throughout the celebration.

3

Helene's Tarot Reading

To gain insight into her upcoming year, Helene performs a Tarot card reading. This moment sets off a chain of reflections about her life, particularly concerning her husband, Frank, and the theme of escaping on birthdays.

4

Arrival of Guests

As the party kicks off, more guests arrive bringing gifts and sharing food. They engage in light-hearted banter about aging, relationships, and bodily insecurities, creating a lively yet vulnerable atmosphere among the women.

Helene's home
5

Generational Tensions

Sadie expresses her frustrations with aging and her complicated emotions surrounding her daughter's youth and beauty. The candid discussion amongst the women reveals insecurities about body image and societal expectations.

6

Whitney's Wisdom

Whitney, Helene's mother, offers her perspective on women’s insecurities, expressing confusion about why attractive and successful women obsess over food and appearance. She seeks to understand the behavioral patterns of women amidst a celebratory setting.

7

The Cake and Confessions

When the birthday cakes are presented, rather than indulging, the women pass them around without eating. This act symbolizes deeper emotional struggles, as Whitney enjoys her slice while many others refrain due to their insecurities.

Helene's home
8

Moments of Vulnerability

Later, various women open up to Martine's camera about their relationships with food and their pasts. They reveal how food has often served as a substitute for love, pointing to deeper emotional scars linked to their experiences.

9

Frank's Phone Call

Helene receives a phone call from Frank, informing her that he won't make it home as promised. This revelation shatters Helene and paves the way for revelations about his unfaithfulness and the brewing tensions of the party.

10

Whispers of Betrayal

As the party progresses, rumors about Frank's supposed affair surface. One guest outright shares that she had an affair with him years ago, igniting further anxiety and speculation about his current behavior at the celebration.

11

Emotional Breakdowns

The tension culminates when Helene confronts various guests, accusing them of being involved with Frank. Emotional turmoil spills over, leading to distressing moments, including Sophie being found in the bathroom after her own struggles with jealousy.

Bathroom
12

Acceptance of Change

As the night draws to a close, Helene begins to embrace her new reality as a woman alone. With a mix of fear and excitement, she expresses her resolve to move forward despite the uncertainty of her future without Frank.

Helene's home
13

Martine's Reflection

Martine reflects on her own solitary existence and her readiness to seek a more meaningful relationship. This exchange with Helene offers a poignant contrast between their differing experiences with love and loneliness.

14

End of the Celebration

As guests begin to leave, the party concludes with a mixture of relief and disappointment. The festivities seem to symbolize the end of an era for Helene, highlighting the complexities of aging and relationships among the women.

Helene's home

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03

Unlock the Full Story of Eating

Don't stop at just watching — explore Eating in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Eating is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Eating Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Eating, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Eating Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Eating

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Eating. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Eating

More About Eating

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Eating: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Eating

Similar Movies to Eating

Discover movies like Eating that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.