Dumplin' (B or 3/4 stars)
Dumplin' (directed by Ann Fletcher & based on a novel) stars Aussie Danielle Macdonald as the titular character, a Dolly Parton-lovin', plus-sized 17 yr. old by the name of Willowdean Dickson; and she is nicknamed Dumplin' by her self-absorbed, single mom, Rosie (Jennifer Aniston). Rosie's entire life in little Clover City, Texas has been built on having won the 1991 Miss Teen Bluebonnet Pageant, which she now proudly directs. Since Willowdean was primarily raised by her mom's fun-loving, similarly plus-sized sister Lucy (Hilliary Begley), her beloved aunt's recent death has triggered a real rebellious streak in our protagonist. That manifests itself when she decides to enter this year's Miss Teen Bluebonnet competition, mostly to embarrass her physically-fit, beautiful, perfectionist mother -- Rosie loves Dumplin', but is clearly disappointed that she didn't give birth to, ahem, pageant material.
What surprises Willowdean is how her newfound boldness inspires similarly-chubby Millicent (Maddie Baillio, from this yr.'s Hairspray Live!), lesbian Goth Hannah (Bex Taylor-Klaus) to also enter the pageant, as well as Willowdean's life-long BFF, Ellen (Odeya Rush). Although she initially intended to ruin the pageant, our feisty heroine & her brigade unwittingly enter a journey of self-discovery, become swept up in the rehearsals, & hopes to update the traditional obsession with "beauty". And when they're flummoxed by what to do for the talent portion, a group of local Dolly Parton-worshipping drag queens – led by real drag queen Ginger Minj & Lee (Harold Perrineau), who adored Willowdean's Aunt Lucy – comes to their rescue.
So, this movie was pretty adorable. It doesn't re-invent the wheel. There's nothing truly unique about it. We've seen other superior pageant films before. i.e., Miss Congeniality, Drop Dead Gorgeous & the like. But I had a good time watching Dumplin' evolve & do her thing. Part faerie tale, part homespun coming-of-age story & part journey to self-acceptance, this film should make you chuckle & warm your heart in equal measure. The performances are delightful. Aussie Danielle Macdonald - so good in last yr.'s Patti Cake$ - gives another charming, empathetic turn; you just like Willowdean and hope for the best for her. I even liked a romantic subplot involving her Willowdean, who works part-time at a diner, & the hunky grill-cook Bo (Len Benward), who is attracted to her. Predictably, she says, "Boys like Bo don't date (larger) girls like me". This subplot could've been fleshed-out more, but it's sweet.
Jennifer Aniston, for me, will always act like another version of Rachel from Friends; I just don't think she can dig deep with her thespian talents. That said, although her broad, somewhat over-the-top portrayal of a pageant mom doesn't jive with the more grounded acting from the rest of the cast ... this is probably my favorite film that she's been a part of. The direction & script is formulaic; offering no surprises, but it still satisfies. Willowdean's talent performance IN the pageant is awesome. The mother/daughter estrangement & reconciliation is handled well enough. And the Dolly Parton-heavy soundtrack {replete with 12 new songs) is great -- I only wish she had showed up in a cameo. Thumbs up for Dumplin'.
What surprises Willowdean is how her newfound boldness inspires similarly-chubby Millicent (Maddie Baillio, from this yr.'s Hairspray Live!), lesbian Goth Hannah (Bex Taylor-Klaus) to also enter the pageant, as well as Willowdean's life-long BFF, Ellen (Odeya Rush). Although she initially intended to ruin the pageant, our feisty heroine & her brigade unwittingly enter a journey of self-discovery, become swept up in the rehearsals, & hopes to update the traditional obsession with "beauty". And when they're flummoxed by what to do for the talent portion, a group of local Dolly Parton-worshipping drag queens – led by real drag queen Ginger Minj & Lee (Harold Perrineau), who adored Willowdean's Aunt Lucy – comes to their rescue.
So, this movie was pretty adorable. It doesn't re-invent the wheel. There's nothing truly unique about it. We've seen other superior pageant films before. i.e., Miss Congeniality, Drop Dead Gorgeous & the like. But I had a good time watching Dumplin' evolve & do her thing. Part faerie tale, part homespun coming-of-age story & part journey to self-acceptance, this film should make you chuckle & warm your heart in equal measure. The performances are delightful. Aussie Danielle Macdonald - so good in last yr.'s Patti Cake$ - gives another charming, empathetic turn; you just like Willowdean and hope for the best for her. I even liked a romantic subplot involving her Willowdean, who works part-time at a diner, & the hunky grill-cook Bo (Len Benward), who is attracted to her. Predictably, she says, "Boys like Bo don't date (larger) girls like me". This subplot could've been fleshed-out more, but it's sweet.
Jennifer Aniston, for me, will always act like another version of Rachel from Friends; I just don't think she can dig deep with her thespian talents. That said, although her broad, somewhat over-the-top portrayal of a pageant mom doesn't jive with the more grounded acting from the rest of the cast ... this is probably my favorite film that she's been a part of. The direction & script is formulaic; offering no surprises, but it still satisfies. Willowdean's talent performance IN the pageant is awesome. The mother/daughter estrangement & reconciliation is handled well enough. And the Dolly Parton-heavy soundtrack {replete with 12 new songs) is great -- I only wish she had showed up in a cameo. Thumbs up for Dumplin'.