Dumplin’ (2018)

Directed by: Anne Fletcher | 110 minutes | comedy, drama | Actors: Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush, Maddie Baillio, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Luke Benward, Georgie Flores, Dove Cameron, Harold Perrineau, Kathy Najimy

Willowdean Dickson didn’t hit it. Saddled with an impossible name and with a mother who is completely focused on herself, the teenager also weighs an unhealthy amount. When she is once again laughed at for her appearance and for her nickname Dumplin’ (Dumpling) she is done with it. She enters the Miss Teen Bluebonnet, a beauty pageant her mother once won. That election is the annual highlight in the Texas town where she and her mother live.

In the sequel of the coming-of-age film ‘Dumplin” we see the consequences of that decision. The cheerful and combative Willowdean soon drags along some other misfits, such as the obese Millie and the boyish Hannah. They also register for the competition. The three of them are groomed by a couple of drag queens in a Dolly Parton cabaret in the heart of Texas. In between, Willowdean also falls in love with a beautiful tough boy.

Based on a young adult novel by Julie Murphy, ‘Dumplin’ offers us almost two hours of cheerful drama. Although the theme is quite serious (about being happy with yourself) the tone is always cheerful and sunny. No venom between the contestants in the beauty contest, no heartbreak, no tragic clashes between mother and daughter. Still, the film is quite moving, especially when it comes to the bond between Willowdean and her best friend Ellen.

Aside from a few lame jokes, “Dumplin” scores fairly high on craftmanship. Actress Danielle Macdonald has already proven herself in beautiful productions such as ‘Unbelievable’ and ‘Patti Cake$’. Jennifer Aniston always feels at home in such comedies and Maddie Baillio does a great job as Millie. The tempo is good and the soundtrack, dominated by Dolly Parton, also satisfies us, especially when it comes to the slower songs.

Still, ‘Dumplin’, like the somewhat similar but much crazier series “Insatiable”, has something awkward about it. The be-happy-with-yourself message doesn’t seem to hold up to criticism. But should you really be content with yourself in the case of morbid obesity? It’s a small point of doubt in a nice feel-good movie. Not suitable for everyone, it’s a bit too campy for that, but you don’t have to be a fan of Dolly Parton for it either.