Dumplin’ tells the story of Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald), the plus-size daughter of former beauty queen Rosie Dickson (play by Jennifer Aniston). At the beginning of the film, Will and her Mom do not have the best relationship. Will feels out of place (because of her size) alongside her mother and her pageant life which is only compounded by the untimely death of Lucy, Rosie’s sister and Will’s Aunt to whom she was very close too. Will, in moment of angst, decides to teach her mother a lesson by signing up for the Miss Bluebonnet Pageant, along with her friend Ellen (played by Odeya Rush), hoping to prove how degrading the pageant is and ruin it forever. But what starts as an act of rebellion turns into a power move that changes the pageant as everyone knows it.
Dumplin’ brings together several groups of people (Dolly Parton drag queens, extra fluffy outcasts, the pretty preppy girls, the “down with the patriarchy” peeps, etc) and essentially removes how they look from the equation and brings to the forefront of the characters their talents and who they are as people. It’s hard to do anything truly original now-a-days but Dumplin’ does have a positive message that is delivered in a not-too-in your face or pretentious fashion. Body positivity and pursuing your dreams no matter what anyone else thinks is the prevailing message.
However, this isn’t a film that I’d go out my way watch again. It’s not bad or anything. It was cute and a fun one time watch but not something I’d buy when given the chance. The film moves along exactly as you might expect, including a big fight with her friend El, Will and her Mom coming to understand each other and, of course, that handsome totally “out of her league” guy who is charming as hell and totally into Will despite her own reservations. The only thing that really surprised me about this film was what happened at the pageant itself. I would say that was the best part of the movie.
Otherwise, it’s the same story, the same message we’ve all heard before but in the South.
That being said, if you need to a watch a movie that’ll lift you from a bad mood or inspire you for a moment to do something bold (like join a pageant), Dumplin’ is a good choice.
And honestly, I think everyone could use a little Dolly Parton in their life.
