Ellen

Ellen is a twenty year old woman struggling with Anorexia.

Background
Ellen (Nickname Eli) is a twenty year old woman from Los Angeles, CA and is struggling with anorexia nervosa. Ellen is a former art student who dropped out of college due to her eating disorder. Ellen is introduced during her removal from an unsuccessful in-patient stay for her disorder. We learn Ellen's character is described as "defiant" and a "bad influence" on other recovering patients. It's suggested Ellen has battled her eating disorder since her early teenage years. Ellen has a complicated family dynamic. Ellen's father, Jack, and her mother 'Judy' seperated when Ellen was a child, and she was left in the primary care of her mother. Ellen's father married Ellen's stepmother, Susan, and had Ellen's younger half-sister, Kelly. Ellen's mother came out when Ellen was thirteen, and is claimed by Susan to be "bipolar" with a history of nervous breakdowns (Ellen denies this is responsible for her eating disorder]. In the beginning of the movie, we learn that Ellen originally lived with her mother and her partner, Olive, but was removed from their house due to having to deal with Ellen's disorder without success. Ellen is given the option to live with her father and stepmother, under the condition that she agrees to being treated by Dr.William Beckham. Ellen's relationship with her stepmother appears strained in the beginning of the film, but improves by the end as Ellen learns to appreciate her stepmom's efforts to help her recover. Ellen has a close relationship with her younger sister, Kelly, who is a major influence for Ellen to recover. We learn later in the story that Ellen harbors a tragic past involving her Tumblr artwork.

Friends
Susan= Please fill out a relationship description and status here. Kelly= The first time we see Kelly, she is testing Ellen on her knowledge of calories, with her phone in front of her and a plate of food in front of Ellen. Ellen asks Kelly if she can drive them to somewhere. Kelly and Ellen walk up to a hill and Kelly asks if she's "using me to burn off half a pack of lifesavers or some shit.". Ellen responds with "view is best at the top", under her breath Kelly says "Jesus, Mary and Joseph". Ellen and Kelly are up on a hill, Kelly shows Ellen her butterfly tattoo and asks Ellen not to tell anyone. Ellen asks if she was drunk, Kelly dismisses this and says it's classical. Ellen thinks it's stupid and Kelly sarcastically apologizes for not having Ellens' artistic eye to guide her. They then talk about Ellens' illness, and Kelly voices her thoughts. Luke= Ellen and Luke meet upon Ellen's arrival at Threshold, and he provides her with a tour. Ellen appears put off by Luke's eccentric personality in the beginning, but begins to warm up to him after learning more about his background and that he's admired her artwork for over two years. Luke's efforts to push Ellen into recovery cause friction between them, but also causes an attraction to form. Luke attempts to further the relationship in the film after professing his love, but Ellen rejects him out of fear. Luke is part of the reason Ellen is inspired to return to Threshold to recover. At the end of the film, Ellen is seen walking toward Threshold and Luke comes outside to greet her with Dr.William Beckham. It's suggested that Ellen plans to rekindle her romance with Luke. There is also a still photo of them holding hands on the porch that was not featured in the film to further support this. Chloe= Please fill out a relationship description and status here. Penny= Penny is a young woman suffering from Anorexia. She is first seen at the beginning when she talks about how chocolate cake is presented in magazines and in society, adding to a girls complaint about before and after girls in magazines. Ellen sighs after she talks and says "society's to blame, the world is so unfair, I have to die.", "There's not point in blaming everybody, live with it." After Ellen is asked to use different words that don't hurt Pennys feelings Ellen holds up a piece of cardboard with the letters from a newspaper cut out to spell out "Suck my skinny balls". Dr. Beckham= Please fill out a relationship description and status here.

Family
Susan= Step mom. Kelly= Half Sister. Judy= Biological Mother Olive= Step mom

Trivia
N/A