“I ain’t fat. I’m sexy succulent.”
These are words spoken by Jazmin in “Phat Girlz,” the newest film from stand-up comedian and actress Mo’Nique. The film tells the story of a department store worker and aspiring fashion designer who learns to accept herself and her weight in an environment overflowing with skinny girls.
Although Mo’Nique and stand-up comedian Godfrey are the only big names in the movie, “Phat Girlz” still provides a variety of laughs while proceeding through its warm story.
While working in a clothing store, Jazmin Biltmore (Mo’Nique) designs plus-sized clothing on the side as a distraction from the dullness of her job. Tired of the lack of trendy clothing available to bigger women, Jazmin dreams of starting her own clothing line even though she has neither the funds nor resources to start a business.
As she struggles to lose weight, Jazmin only becomes more frustrated when she receives a hail of fat jokes on the job and in nightclubs. But everything changes when she randomly wins a trip to Palm Springs from a metabolism pill company whose products she purchased in the past.
Along with her skinny cousin Mia and her not-so-skinny co-worker Stacey, Jazmin travels to a resort where the three ladies meet three Nigerian doctors who have traveled to the US for a medical convention. The superficial, Barbie doll-shaped Mia is shocked when one of the gentlemen, Tunde, ignores her, finding Jazmin to be the most attractive. The second doctor, Akibo (Godfrey) considers Stacey beautiful while the third man is upset about being stuck with a “toothpick” as he observes Mia.
The two plus-sized women have their worlds turned upside down as they are swept off of their feet by the politeness of the Nigerians who consider their excess weight a symbol of status and sexiness. On a romantic carriage ride through the city, Tunde explains how drastic the difference is between Nigerian and American concepts of female beauty, telling Jazmin that it is medically impossible for her to ever be her goal size five.
Jazmin is unable to overcome her insecure past and refuses to let herself believe that Tunde could possibly accept her for the way she is.
After embarrassing herself by exposing her suspicions, Jazmin and her girls return to California where she finally comes to accept her looks and continues to pursue her own fashion line.
“Phat Girlz” won’t be the funniest film of the year. It lacks big-name actors and the low budget is evident in the film quality, but the story is still very heartfelt and delivers a good message about female body images. In fact, one of the recurrent themes of the film is challenging the American ideal female form.
Though Mo’Nique is the only well-known actress in the movie, her persona is strong enough to keep the film afloat. Her rambunctious attitude and loud mouth are always present to liven up any dull moment. She also adds some hilarious voice-over comments throughout the film.
“Phat Girlz” provides consistent laughs without being too over the top to have its message taken seriously.
Skinny people beware, Mo’Nique is coming after you.
