"Phat Girlz" is a saucy comedy, about the plight and mindset of plus-size women in America, which compensates for its amateurish blemishes with a ringing chord of genuine sincerity.
Mo’Nique ("Domino") gives an ebullient performance as Jazmin Biltmore a plus-size woman working in the women’s clothing department of an upscale department store with her best friend Stacey (Kendra C. Johnson).
Jazmin designs and makes her own clothes with the hope of someday starting a fashion line for "sexy succulent" women.
Jazmin’s life takes an abrupt turn when she wins a trip to Palm Springs. With Stacey and her cousin Mia (Joyful Drake) in tow, Jazmin meets Tunde (Jimmy Jean-Louis) a doctor from Nigeria who appreciates her larger assets.
Debut writer/director Nnegest Likke shows great promise and passion but would have benefited from a more experienced editor than newcomer Zack Arnold.
Rated PG-13. 99 mins.
