Netflix’s ‘Dumplin’’ Tackles Body Shaming With a Lighthearted Spirit

There are imperfect movies that still tempt you with giving them a pass because the heart of the story is in the right place. “Dumplin’” is just such a movie. This Netflix original deals with worthy themes within an endearing premise. It shies away from vicious satire or even the edgier side of drama. It just wants to be a lighthearted pep talk about being accepting towards everyone. The result is a yin yang of humor and corniness, good acting straddled with a limp storyline. We care for the characters, even if we don’t care much for how the narrative flows.

In a small Texas town we meet Willowdean (Danielle Macdonald), a plump high schooler who was raised on an obsessive love of Dolly Parton by her late aunt. Willowdean’s mother is former beauty queen Rosie (Jennifer Aniston), who now runs the Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant. To her eternal angst, Willowdean is affectionately called “Dumplin’” by her mom. Feeling shamed for her looks, which also causes her severe insecurity around a workplace crush named Bo (Luke Benward), Willowdean decides she wants to enter the pageant. She isn’t necessarily planning on winning. She just wants to make a point. Her best friend Ellen (Odeya Rush) decides to join up as well for support. Soon two other friends, the large Millie (Maddie Baillio) and rebellious Hannah (Bex Taylor-Klaus) sign up as well, planning to defy the town and culture’s conditioned views of beauty.

“Dumplin’” is all about being a feel good popcorn entertainment. Unlike Netflix’s earlier, atrocious take on body-shaming, “Insatiable,” this one isn’t mean-spirited or interested in toilet humor. Director Anne Fletcher is working from a script by Kristin Hahn, which is based on a 2015 novel by Julie Murphy. Their approach is to tackle body-shaming with characters who are all generally likeable. There isn’t a villain in this movie and even the moments of body-shaming never go beyond a few high school boneheads shouting the dreaded word “fat” in a hallway, or from a car. As a result the drama becomes a bit stale because the stakes and conflict are not that high. Jennifer Aniston’s Rosie is never cruel towards Willowdean, she worries about her the way someone used to being considered attractive gets self-righteous about weight. Even when Willowdean signs up for the pageant there aren’t real obstacles put in her path, she just has to figure out what to do for the talent portion of the competition. The same goes for her friends. Ellen is the slim friend who will make Willowdean feel slightly insecure, but it’s nothing a hug can’t fix. Millie’s great challenge is that her religious mother can’t know she is competing and Hannah is such a Punk-like rebel she basks in doing clenched fists onstage. Even the love angle with Bo lacks any juice because he actually does pine for Willowdean, so deeply that she doesn’t have to convince him of anything. Their dialogue is as corny as can be, with the kinds of lines all of us who have felt insecure about our looks blindly wish someone would utter. But it’s the movies, where dreams are supposed to come true one supposes.

What “Dumplin’” does have are some enjoyable performances where everyone seems to be having fun, even as the plot is overwhelmed by adoration for Dolly Parton. The icon herself has even written new music for the film, including the song “Girl in the Movies,” which has just been nominated for a Golden Globe. Part of the film’s spirit is in trying to channel the Parton attitude of getting by and defying the odds no matter what. Willowdean, Ellen, Millie and Hannah even hang out at a club where drag queens sing Parton numbers, including Lee (Harold Perrineau), who will eventually help Willowdean with her stage presence. The movie does overdo it however and these teenage girls apparently have no other taste in music other than Parton, to the point where it’s the only music in their lives whether at home or in the car. Not to slam the great one herself of course, but would a modern-day teenager, even if they are fans of Dolly, saturate themselves so obsessively?

It is a bit difficult to completely do a negative review of “Dumplin’” because it does accomplish giving the audience a pleasant time. There are few real tears or heartbreak in this little movie, but if you want something to cheer you up on a rainy day, this one might do the trick. The story is not riveting, just well-intentioned.  The final pageant scenes are charming, with an ending as predictable as the sun rising tomorrow. We can fault “Dumplin’” for not pushing far, but at least it tries with the best intentions.

Dumplin’” premieres Dec. 7 on Netflix.