Dumplin' (2018) User Reviews

warm and perfect

[amcedelstein · 8/10 · 8 December 2018]

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose" - Dolly Parton

Damn, Julie Murphy. You wrote every fat girls story. I knew this going into the movie tonight, this cold December night I tucked myself into bed with a box of tissues, some pizza, and my cat. I was prepared. Ready to experience one of my favorite books on the "big screen", not to mention all the Dolly and Jennifer Aniston my heart desired. Well, Julie, I cried the entire time, mission accomplished, job well done. The movie is as bright, delicious, and strong as the book, with a little extra sparkle and zhuzh.

I hope everyone out there takes a minute to think about the fat girl inside of yourself, whatever that means, and think about fondly wishing her luck on her mission to finding out who she is on purpose.

A positive movie

[ComedyFan2010 · 8/10 · 11 January 2019]

Is this movie very original? Not at all. It follows the common formula of such self confidence movies. But it is lovely executed and I ended up enjoying every minute of it. It is very charming and positive. Positive not just in the main message (love yourself and be who you want to be) but also in the execution and how nice the characters are. Nobody is hateful and negative to others (except for that guy in the beginning who got what he deserved). There are no nasty jury who need to be proven something, no nasty contestants trying to sabotage you, actually no mean mothers. The only person one needs to prove something to is oneself. The rest of the women and girls are very nice to each other, which is so wonderful. And this is something that was kind of special in this movie.

Actors were also great. Jennifer Aniston is great at performing a loving mother who maybe has some misunderstandings with her daughter yet wants to do the best for her. Harold Perrineau is amazing. When I saw him first I had trouble to figure out who it is even though the face looked familiar. He is a great actor who is very different in every role I saw him.

So if you want to see some very deep award receiving movie, this is probably not the one for you. But if you want an entertaining and positive movie that will make you feel good about life than this is a good choice.

Good, but not like the book

[ramsayreader · 7/10 · 7 December 2018]

The movie is a good, heartlifting movie with good music and enjoyable characters. Unfortunately it leaves out a lot of major characters and a lot of the book plot. If you haven't read the book you will like it even more, irregardless it is worth the watch.

Dumplin'

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 7/10 · 20 July 2019]

7/10 - body positive YA book adaption lives up to the hype

Heartwarming but unoriginal

[thweattr · 7/10 · 8 December 2018]

It's hard to dislike the movie with the message they're delivering. However, it felt like a worse Hairspray. You can't miss the message in this movie as the writers stuffed it down your throat as much as they possible could however they weren't creative in their delivery and had the actors force it into dialogue in a played out way. But like I said it's heartwarming nonetheless in your typical feel good predictable kind of way.

Script Doc Needed for this Bland "Dumplin"

[Tail_End_Charlie · 9 December 2018]

Dolly Parton's wonderful songs (and her distinct voice) are the highlight of this film. That said, "Dumplin'" film feels like a low-risk, tv special, played at 8 pm. The script is overly-sentimental, and while the themes are worthy, the delivery felt flat.

Several characters who deserved to be fleshed out got the short-shrift. I'd like to see a more layered narrative of the lives of drag queens, apart from their entertainment value, but this film missed the mark. Even "Bo", the teenage hunk was reduced to a cardboard figure, imbued with cliched sound bites. Kathy Najimy (a fine actor) was given a perfunctory role, filled with animated actions.

If you want to see Aniston deliver a riveting portrayal, see the film "CAKE". Sadly, she is not believable in this role. Although "Patti Cake$ was not a great film, I enjoyed the performance of MacDonald more in that project. While "Dumplin" was not altogether terrible (most of the actors gave it their best), the script is in sore need of refinement and enriched characterizations.

Predictable, but fun and heartfelt

[reneelk · 7/10 · 16 December 2018]

Dumplin' was sweet and powerful and uplifting and intimate all at once. The acting was fantastic (especially Jen Aniston (who I haven't seen this good in a long time), Danielle Macdonald, and Maddie Baillio), the message was inspiring, and the music really topped it all off. It was however relatively predictable, and the script was a little stuffy and artificial, but other than that I loved it. Overall, just a really fun movie to watch, would definitely reccomend!

Diverts as Many Cliches as Possible

[ThomasDrufke · 6/10 · 31 December 2018]

Let me start out by saying this film is definitely not my typical area of interest. A movie about someone trying to upend the routine of a yearly beauty pageant in order to prove a point to her judging mother, is not something I would usually check out. However, with Jennifer Aniston involvement as the aforementioned Mother, I felt it might be worth giving a shot. Luckily, the film makes every attempt to divert expectations and avoid cliches, but it forgets how to right a lead character that can be someone you care about. She's every bit as judging and critical as her mom is but to other people. Of course, that's the arc 'Dumplin' goes through as she navigates her own sort of coming of age story. It has sweet intentions, is executed well enough to be watched but perhaps not well enough to be acclaimed.

6.5/10

If you only watch this for how female friendships are portrayed...

[gatannahfiles · 9/10 · 8 December 2018]

... that will be plenty. The young (and older) women in this film are supportive and kind to each other. Netflix has plenty of titles where women are enemies (or frenemies), undermine each other, try to get revenge, and are generally nasty in their own selfishness to be fulfilled. It is insulting to me as a women to be portrayed as though I feel like every other female is a competitor in some zero sum game where if they succeed, I lose something. So it's nice to see a film where women are not catty and petty.

Furthermore, it's great to see a film whose star is not a skinny gal, but in which skinny gals aren't portrayed as horrible people. No one "type" is a jerk, except a couple of rando high school guys, but there are plenty of male characters who are lovely. Most, in fact.

The movie avoids so many tropes typical to all cinema, but especially these Netflix rom-coms.

1) Put-upon outcast goes crazy and does something harmful. I was truly nervous when Will walked into the alteration room and saw all of the pageant dresses. Many other offerings would have had her trash the dresses to teach her mom a lesson or something, but she was so focused on her love of her late aunt, the whole scene ended up being darling.

2) Frustrated/confused love interest takes some meantime action on the side. The guy who was interested in Will never wavered.

3) Speaking of #2, though, the love interest angle wasn't even the most important one. The story is based most prominently on the relationship of Will to her late aunt, and stemming from that, her best girlfriend. And Will's fragmented relationship with her mother. And then the friendships of other high school girls who make up the pool of (eventual) pageant contestants.

I watched several Netflix original movies during TV hiatus this summer, and many were downright alarming. I wanted to like "Kissing Booth," but in the end, it was a story about two brothers who felt inappropriate possession of a common girlfriend. "Sierra Burgess is a Loser" and "F the Prom" both had characters who ended up doing horribly mean things, which we are supposed to nod and understand because they felt rejected. I didn't get past the first 30 minutes of "When First We Met" or Groundhog Day II or whatever.

I'm just saying this movie is a cut above most of the Netflix originals, and doesn't have an overarching problematic theme. Definitely feel-good, and you can genuinely like most of the characters.

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 7/10 · 24 April 2020]

Dumplin' was actually good. The story is touching and the performances spot on. The overall result was entertaining and the soundtrack just perfect.

Misses the mark

[singe594 · 5/10 · 9 December 2018]

Generic and every "deep" moment seems so superficial and unearned.

Lovely film

[stasiakoroleva · 10/10 · 7 December 2018]

Really surprised at how much I enjoyed this film. Most Netflix movies are cheesy and predictable, but this one is truly heartwarming. The story is great and the dialogue feels natural. Dolly Partons songs are a real highlight as well, and the message is delivered organically in stead of being shoved down your throat. I would recommend this for a nice Friday film night.

A cute movie

[BandSAboutMovies · 7/10 · 13 December 2018]

Based on the novel by Julie Murphy (you can see her in a cameo near the end of the film and she's recently written a book called Puddin' that follows the story of the supporting cast of this story) and directed by Anne Fletcher (who also directed Hot Pursuit, a movie we saw as the second feature at least five times at the drive-in throughout the summer of 2015) from a script by Kristin Hahn (who in her youth lived with star Jennifer Aniston and has a production company with her), Dumplin' hits home. The story of a teenage girl trying to understand how to fit in with a world she doesn't fit into who loves Dolly Parton may seem like the exact opposite of something that would reach me, but what you don't know is that I grew up in a small town with one country station that played nearly all day long playlists of Ms. Parton. And despite my collection of black shirts and a patch ridden jacket, I've proudly stood in the front row, singing out loud to every song at Dolly shows.

Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald) was raised primarily by her Aunt Lucy while her mother Rosie (Aniston) relives her beauty queen past as a semi-celebrity in their small Texas hometown.

After the sudden death of her aunt, Willowdean has to deal with pageant season, a time of the year that she finds ridiculous. She convinces her best friend and fellow Dolly fan Ellen Dryver (Odeya Rush, Goosebumps) to enter the Miss Teen Bluebonnet Pageant as a protest. Willowdean isn't the same body shape and size as her mother, so she's fiercely against the beauty contest and willing to defend others, like shy Millie Michalchuk, who ends up coming out of her shell. Joining them in their "protest in heels" is Hannah Perez (Bex Taylor-Klaus, Hell Fest, TV's The Killing), whose short hair looks and love of metal are in sharp contrast to every other girl.

Miss Teen Bluebonnet will test Willowdean's friendship with Ellen, as well as strengthen her love of her lost aunt by meeting many of her drag queen friends, including Harold Perrineau from TV's Lost and Ru Paul's Drag Race contestant Ginger Minj. Willowdean also learns that even the cutest guy in school, Bo, might be able to see through society's views on beauty to see who she is inside.

Sure, Dumplin' is sentimental and at times schmaltzy, but it's also a well-made and at times, pretty amusing film. It was also nice to see Kathy Najimy in the film (her husband Dan Finnerty is also in the movie as beauty contest host Eugene Reed). And who doesn't love hearing a soundtrack packed with Dolly tunes, including a new one that she wrote just for the movie?

Disappointed

[bef1991 · 5/10 · 7 December 2018]

There was such hype about this movie and I love both Jennifer Aniston and Dolly Parton but I was so let down. The dialogue was very bland. I expected the story to be predictable but was hoping the actor's lines would inject life into it but sadly it didn't. Frankly the best part of the movie was Dolly Parton's music and little else.

Likeable

[fskea · 7/10 · 17 June 2019]

I've watched this more than once now. The first time I loved it,but my second time I find myself frustrated with parts of the story. I don't find Willowdean as likeable or as pretty as Millie the other big girl in the story and would find it more believable if Bo liked Millie. It is nice that the skinny girls are not mean to her in the pageant and for once that type of girl is not portrayed as mean. The message of accepting yourself is shoved down your throat as much as possible which is a bit unnecessary.

Amusing

[StrayFeral · 7/10 · 27 December 2018]

Generally: Amusing Plot: Messed-up family, daughter tries to get mom's attention Best thing: Tries to make a point and send a message (not very well) Worst thing: Way way way toooo much Dolly Parton

Apparently Netflix started doing not just series, but also single movies. I got confused at first, thought it would be a pilot episode of a new show, but not. Spent time watching it. Generally it is very amusing, you won't feel disappointed if you spend the time. Bad thing is, it implements damn way too much of Dolly Parton. Don't get me wrong, country music fan here too, but the use of Dolly's name is way too much. Using Dolly's music is completely fine for me.

The movie tries to make a point and send the message that every body is okay (the main character is overweight). However this part of the movie is a bit weak and messes up with the main point of the story - the entire story actually goes around the main character, trying to get her mom's attention and respect. That's it, no more or less. How she tries to send the message is not well done.

Acting is okay, no comments here. But the path to the glam is not well shown, maybe because at first the nerd girls club tries to sabotage the beauty contest, before later they decide to actually do it.

What would have been done better: (1) Showing more funny moments of how the girls prepare for the contest, more floppy walking on heels, makeup-drama, trying more clothes etc. (2) Since the actual story is the main character trying to win her mom's attention and respect, I would like to see more of her inner drama and her efforts revealed.

Fairytale

[sergepesic · 7/10 · 5 March 2023]

The nature of words. Formula comes from chemistry and assumes a concise way of expressing information symbolically. Formulaic usually means predictable. So, yes, this movie follows tried and well-known formula, and is somewhat formulaic, but which feel -good movie doesn't suffer from the same malaise? So, if one is in a mood to temporally escape the drab and exhausting, this movie will do the trick just fine. We can run away from many things except from ourselves, hence the conundrum. So, we may as well embrace the good parts of who we are and skim over the others, better ignored. This charming Southern fairytale does just that. And boy do we need it.

Dumplin'

[snoducky · 6/10 · 18 September 2023]

Not the best film.

Don't get me wrong the message and moral of the story is pretty heartwarming and relevant but unfortunately that's the extent of this film. The idea is extremely generic, very predictable and gets boring quickly. I'm not a big fan of these sort of warm touchy films but even for people who enjoy this genre won't be a major fan of Dumplin. The movies acting is rather poor. The script and story is so bland and plain so much so that you can guess what will happen next. However some moments in the film are better than others but most of them are an average standard. Overall not the most enjoyable film.

It you want warm feel good vibes this is perfect

[senseofsight18 · 9/10 · 9 December 2018]

Full disclosure, I have not read the book so I saw the movie with virgin eyes and zero expectations. If you're looking for a deep, insightful comedy drama with a bunch of existential messages this is not the movie for you. If you're looking for warm and fuzzy feelings mixed with some sass and charm I recommend this movie. My belly didn't ache from laughing, but my mouth did hurt from smiling so much. If you watch enough movies and TV they all become predictable, but that doesn't have to take away from your enjoyment or the message of self love that this movie leans on. So found a comfy spot on the couch, grab some tea, and let the positive vibes flow.

We all want to be beauty queens

[maite-75426 · 6/10 · 24 January 2019]

In the same line of Miss Congeniality this movie has lovely female characters, and a nice portrayal of female friendships and family ties. But, even though everything start as an act of rebellion, and with irony, they end up being sucked by the narcissism of looking pretty, having shiny dresses and showing off some ridiculous talent. The movie per se seems not to question pageants, and end up glorifying them as if they are a good thing for girls and their self esteem.

It perpetuates the myth that all girls and women, no mater how they look, their sexual orientation, how "woke" they are or even what their political views are, we all want to be pretty, on display, and beauty queens.

Not quite what I hoped for.

[TalulaGrey · 5/10 · 8 December 2018]

I thought that I'd be okay with Danielle Macdonald playing a high-schooler named Willowdean, but my god she's 27 and looks to be 35. There is conflict in this film but it's all surface and we never get deeper into it. Jennifer Aniston plays the mom and she's good in her role. We don't get to see the mother-daughter conflict from both sides. Willowdean keeps telling us that her mom doesn't like/love her because she didn't turn out the way her mom wanted but, that is not what we see.

I did enjoy the drag queens and the Dolly Parton. I especially liked Maddie Baillio who plays Millie Michalchuk; she was funny, sweet, and charming.

Overall, this is a solid 5 out of 10.

Whatever Haters

[tbyrd-50088 · 9/10 · 9 December 2018]

Is the movie an Oscar contender? No, but who cares. The movie has a great message and it's fun. I enjoyed the movie from beginning to end. All you naysayers and haters, get some joy in your life and be entertained without tearing down. It's a movie for teens to learn the value of understanding who you are and living your best you. Something us 40 somethings need to be remind of too!

Good family fun

[alexmelillo · 7/10 · 6 March 2019]

It was a pleasant surprise to see Jennifer Anniston in good shape. Dumplin' delivers a good youth drama, filled with good attitudes, good initiatives, perseverance and overcoming. There are several scenes in which subliminal messages are transmitted subtly and sensibly, broadening the spectrum of the characters and offering good fun for the whole family, especially for those who have teenagers and can enjoy this nice movie simultaneously. And Danielle Macdonald is no longer a promise, she's a complete actress. And very, very good !!

Well meaning but poorly done

[icymi-37906 · 5/10 · 20 December 2018]

I like Dolly Parton music, I liked Muriel's Wedding (Ugly Duckling story) I liked Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Drag Queen story) I like Jennifer Aniston. I don't like this film. I don't think they made the main character likeable enough, her chubby friend Millicent was way more charismatic. It's one thing if you make the lead big, but then you need to write her in a more charming, sympathetic way if you have a young handsome guy throwing himself at her. She was just boring and depressing, and it made little sense why Bo at the diner would go out of his way to pursue her. Jennifer Aniston was more likeable and she was the villain. The actors were fine, but the script just wasn't good enough. It contained all of the above listed elements, but they weren't brought together in a believable, coherent manner.

The Trailer Made It Look Better

[alexa_u44 · 6/10 · 16 January 2021]

A movie about a girl living in self pity, who always blames everything on being fat and blames everyone for not understanding that. Heart warming and sweet at the right moments, plus Jen and Dolly. 6 or 7 at best.