Phat Girlz

An aspiring fashion designer for plus-size women struggles to find love, in a world that seems to be catered for - as the lead character puts it - skinny-assed girls. This movie is a vehicle for US actress/celebrity (and sizeable BBW) Mo'Nique, who is from what I can tell a very open commentator on size issues in the States, that not many of us will have heard of her this side of the pond could explain the movie being sprung on us without much fanfare.

Whilst not having many laugh-out-loud scenes and the main character herself being less likeable than you would expect in this sort of down-trodden underdog tale, the overall idea is a reasonably good one, looking at the sizeist nature of the fashion industry and the general leaning towards the waif-like supermodel look, which in turn leaves the larger female unable to be fashionable. It's a pity that the movie concentrates more on the lead character fighting back, than her rising above the insults she hears and show her fellow Phat ("Pretty Hot And Thick", according to the script) girls that you can be better than those types of insecure people by being yourself, instead or resorting to violence or unkind remarks. This is part half-minded social commentary, part love story and part never-give-up-on-your-dreams tale, but it never really gels like it should.

The plot moves reasonable well, the story does semi-entertain and it's always fun to see Eric Roberts crop up in a supporting role, but when the funniest things are the 'Fat Ass Burger' chain scenes and the food on offer there, the Nigerian men who crave larger built women, or the clothes range called Thick Madame, it's hard to really shout about this film. As Mika says "Big Girls You Are Beautiful", but maybe Mo'Nique is not the best spokesperson or role model for you.

Released 7th April 2006 by 20th Century Fox.

Written by Phil Allely.