FauxNixon

Breast Men is directed by Lawrence O’Neil and aims to tell the story of the two men responsible for creating and marketing the silicone and saline breast implants.  Loosely based on the real story Dr. Kevin Saunders (David Schwimmer), while studying cosmetic surgery under Dr. William Larsen (Chris Cooper) begins to think of cosmetic surgery not just as something re constructive, but also as something that may be able to enhance a woman’s self-image.  They take the idea to a chemical company which develops an implant filled with gelled silicone and encased in what they are assured is a leak-proof container and their experimentation begins with finding some test subjects.

After some initial harshly intense criticism Dr. Larsen and Dr. Saunders open a private clinic offering the service with the invention based on Saunders’ ideas and the financial backing from Saunders they work as partners, but receive no patients until Saunders puts an advertisement into the newspapers.  Suddenly clients and wealth begin flowing massively into their practice and the success is overwhelming.

Ultimately the conflict which is alluded to earlier in the film worsens and the two split with Larsen offering only sensible, tasteful enhancements and Saunders catering to whatever size the client wishes.  The two drift further and further apart and grow increasingly hostile until stories begin to break about the savage diseases believed to be caused by ruptured implants., including those of Saunders’ wife Laura Pierson (Emily Procter in her premiere role) and tragedy for both parties.

It is a touching, intensely human look at the birth, life, and gradual death of an industry and a change in the way the world looks at itself and how people look at their bodies and is an important contribution to the history of cinema.