Phat Girlz

Before I get to a review of this movie, I have a few words to say about some of the other reviews as well as some discussions on the message boards about this movie. It seems that in MANY cases, people aren't actually discussing the merits of this film but are more making value judgments about being fat--a major plot element in the movie. So, some supposed reviews talk about how the main character needs to lose weight or that she's unhealthy but this really isn't a review of the film--it's a statement about what they think of fat folks. Oddly, a few of the comments went further and were quite hateful--as if hating fat people was somehow okay. With a few, I almost wonder if they'll soon suggest that fat folks just be killed! Are they trying to say that this is one last acceptable prejudice? As for the film itself, I cannot understand it being placed in the hallowed Bottom 100 on IMDb other than prejudice against the overweight. Sure, the film is far from perfect and I do have some problems with the writing here and there, but there is no way this is a horrible film--something inclusion in the Bottom 100 would indicate.

Mo'Nique stars as a woman who is both ashamed of her obesity and who is also, oddly enough, very self-assured in other ways. In other words, she is strong and more than willing to stand up to people who are cruel towards fat people but she herself privately beats herself up mercilessly about being so overweight.

Obesity and body image is a great idea for a film--mostly because it's rarely addressed. I loved this aspect of the film and the film had so much positive to say. BUT the film also occasionally lets itself down now and again with cheap fat jokes or anti-skinny woman remarks or the buffet scene. Can't the film be self-assured without actually occasionally reinforcing these old stereotypes at the same time?! Yet, at other times, the film is very positive and reaffirming--such as Mo'Nique's coming up with a line of clothes to make overweight women look good as well as the wonderful relationship she has with her Nigerian love. It's an odd, odd dichotomy how the film seems so very progressive yet not throughout the film.

Subtle this movie is NOT--and if it were perhaps edited a bit, it would have been an exceptional film. With just a few tweaks, it could have been amazing--but as it is, the negatives aren't that bad and the film has been unfairly savaged. I'd give the film a 6--almost a 7. With a good editing and better writing, perhaps an 8.

If you see the film, judge the film--the writing, the acting and the technical aspects of the film.

I have been reading all your comments, and I think some of the comments are a bit overboard in the dislikes!! Come on lets not take this too seriously or take things to heart, this movie might not be in the Oscar stakes, and Monique may in time become a good actress - but it is nice to see a film which has a lovely happy ever after.

I think it is nice to see a movie which has the fat girl being chased by a hunk who loves big sized women, because in this world on size 0, its like fat girls don't exist unless they are fancied by fat men.

Yes, the movie is not taxing on the brain and it certainly is easy on the thinking brain after a reality bitten hard days at work.

I enjoyed the film immensely and i am just treating as one entertaining forgettable film. Just like the movie for what it is - an easy on the brain feel good movie.

I had been dying to see Phat Girlz when it came out on DVD, but when I saw the incredible low rating on IMDb, I was just afraid of being disappointed and feeling like I wasted my time and money. But one of my friends had the movie and we watched it today and I have to say to the IMDb users, how was this movie bottom 100 bad? No, this had no Oscar worthy material and some of it was a bit silly, but I think that this film had a positive message. One of the most disturbing things I have seen on the IMDb reviews and boards are how this movie "promotes" obesity, when I don't see that at all, this film was just about accepting yourself and feeling good and confident in a world where being a "phat" girl is so unacceptable and makes them feel like the minority. Monique had a positive energy, at times I admit she could be over the top and annoying, but I didn't find her character to be horrible, but actually more believable.

Jazmin is a big girl in a small girl's world where she can't find any hot clothing for her size and wishes to help other big girls feel beautiful and sexy. But she is ignored and criticized for her outgoing personality and her plump figure. She wins a trip to the Carrabean Islands with her thin cousin and her other plump friend. There she meets and incredibly handsome doctor who loves her figure and finds big women to be very attractive and helps her realize that maybe with a little confidence she could be on top of the world and smile with her killer fashion designs.

I lost a lot of weight, I used to be a "phat" girl, so I think that's why I enjoyed the film somewhat, because I could relate. Besides that, this was just an average comedy that people are taking way too seriously. I think if you let go and just have some fun, you'll like the film, just ignore the ignorant people who are just hating this film because there are big women in it, it's just a cute romantic comedy with a positive message.

5/10

I know I am vastly in the minority on this decree, but I found this movie to be hilarious. I admit it was very poorly done and the film itself was unprofessional, and definitely nowhere near a masterpiece, but hey, it's just good fun and not meant to wow the audience. I laughed my tail off at some of the jokes, because it is a really funny movie, and even though it could have been a lot better, it was enjoyable, entertaining and overall a very cute and fun movie to watch. Mo'Nique is really a joy and steals the show, whereas everyone else just tags along for the ride. The plot was warming, even if it had plot holes, and I was entertained thoroughly from beginning to end.

It's getting way too much unfair treatment, as do a lot of movies on IMDb, and people just really need to open their eyes to all of them on here, because the ratings and comments on many, including this one, are ridiculous. Overall, it was a bad movie, but not in the sense of, "Oh my gosh, this is absolutely terrible." I totally enjoyed it and found it to be a really neat little movie in the end, and think that all the haters should rethink just a bit, because Mo'Nique is proving that BIG is beautiful.

Jazmin Biltmore (Mo'Nique) is an overweight, sassy woman who dreams to be a fashion designer. Her life is miserable because "no one loves fat people". But than she wins a trip to Miamie. She brings her uptight best friend (Kendra C. Johnson) and her perfect, skinny cousin (Joyful Drake). While there, she meets a perfect man (Jimmy Jean-Louis) from Nigeria, where the bigger the woman, the more they love her.

My oh my! This was VERY hypocritical! First off, she complains that guys only want perfect girls, and than she has pictures of almost-nude perfect men on her walls and dreams of hunky, almost nude men in her dreams! Secondly, she complains that people make fun of her and are rude to her just because she's fat, but than her and all the Nigerians make fun of her cousin just because she's skinny.

It looks like it was filmed on someone's home portable camera. Most of the actors cannot act for their life. BUT- it is not ALL horrible! There are some funny scenes! There are some (surprisingly) touching scenes! I am no way a fan of this, but I think that many, many other horrible films deserve the honor of worst film ever, not this.