Dumplin’ review – Jennifer Aniston’s Netflix comedy is more like trifle
Strong turns from Aniston and Danielle Macdonald can’t save this conventional pageant saga with music from Dolly Parton
The new Netflix film Dumplin’ – the mawkish, rhinestoned lovechild of Glee, the 1975 beauty pageant satire Smile, and practically any episode of the reality show Chrisley Knows Best – is a big-hearted dramedy about an overweight teenager who finds herself by way of Dolly Parton. As an ode to the Backwoods Barbie, who executive-produced and penned six original songs for the film, Dumplin’ is often good fun, as in a scene where a vivacious group of Texan drag queens perform some of Ms Parton’s greatest hits.
But as a coming-of-age tale, a comedy of southern pageantry, or a story of mother-daughter reconciliation, it is boringly conventional, giving the sensation of having seen it all before, only this time with more glitter and higher hair.