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Original poster

Books/films with obese female protagonist?

103 replies

runnerbeany · 17/04/2022 13:14

Chatting with friend and discussing whether UK society can view obese women as 'heroic' protagonists. We both think that people can be heroic regardless of body shape, but couldn't think of good examples in the media. Can you help?

We want examples of reasonably well known books/films/TV, where the protagonist is an obese woman (not just a wee bit overweight) and where it is not relevant to the story. She just HAPPENS to be obese, but the story isn't ABOUT her weight. She doesn't lose weight by the end. She triumphs in the story, either physically, psychologically, or beats the antagonist, or whatever.

I appreciate that many books don't mention whether the protagonist is obese or not, so you could choose to imagine she is, but that is not the same thing.

Please no fat-shaming! I'm really hoping the answers are plentiful and me and my friend were just unable to think of any.

OP posts:
JazzTheDog · 17/04/2022 13:16

Maybe not what you're looking for but the Vicar of Dibley? Which is what we're sitting enjoying just now!

Wookydook · 17/04/2022 13:18

Precious ? (As in, the film)

KittenWithoutPortfolio · 17/04/2022 13:19

Lady Sybil Vimes in the Discworld series

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Books Weight management
Waterfallgirl · 17/04/2022 13:20

The sculptress ( I think)

Movingonup22 · 17/04/2022 13:20

Vera

quiteathome · 17/04/2022 13:20

I was going to say 'This is Us' but her weight is part of a lot of the story. I like the character though

Yellownightmare · 17/04/2022 13:20

The no1 detective agency series.

MrsWooster · 17/04/2022 13:20

Vera (Ann Cleeves’ detective)

Hawkins001 · 17/04/2022 13:21

@runnerbeany

Chatting with friend and discussing whether UK society can view obese women as 'heroic' protagonists. We both think that people can be heroic regardless of body shape, but couldn't think of good examples in the media. Can you help?

We want examples of reasonably well known books/films/TV, where the protagonist is an obese woman (not just a wee bit overweight) and where it is not relevant to the story. She just HAPPENS to be obese, but the story isn't ABOUT her weight. She doesn't lose weight by the end. She triumphs in the story, either physically, psychologically, or beats the antagonist, or whatever.

I appreciate that many books don't mention whether the protagonist is obese or not, so you could choose to imagine she is, but that is not the same thing.

Please no fat-shaming! I'm really hoping the answers are plentiful and me and my friend were just unable to think of any.

The film called spy, very good film
Justawaterformeplease · 17/04/2022 13:22

Somebody Somewhere with Bridget Everett

purpleme12 · 17/04/2022 13:22

Shrek

Original poster
runnerbeany · 17/04/2022 13:24

Thank you! I don't know all of these but will look them up.
Definitely should have thought of Vera, Precious and the Vicar of Dibley!

Anyone think of any young women, just for balance? I guess some of the suggestions above that I don't recognise may be young?

OP posts:
DailySheetWasher · 17/04/2022 13:25

Nine Perfect Strangers

Offthefunkingchain · 17/04/2022 13:25

There's a film I think it's called 'Falling for Figaro'. Main character is larger than average and I don't recall it being mentioned in the story at all. Really cheesy romance, with some laughs along the way.

Original poster
runnerbeany · 17/04/2022 13:25

@purpleme12

Shrek
Shrek the well known woman? Grin Grin
OP posts:
DonnaHaywood · 17/04/2022 13:25

This Is Us. (One of) the female lead's weight is a plot line in the first season, but isn't a central issue after that, or her only characteristic at all.

I also found The Essex Serpent refreshing in the way it mentions the protagonist's body.

Suki in The Gilmore Girls (although that show is weird about food/weight in some ways).

purpleme12 · 17/04/2022 13:26

@runnerbeany yes Fiona from Shrek 🤣

Cyw2018 · 17/04/2022 13:26

The Tourist

With Danielle MacDonald (I'd say she's more overweight than obese on this series) but she's great, and also the romantic interest in it which is great to see.

SwimmingOnEggshells · 17/04/2022 13:27

Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. Was also made into a film.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/CircleoffFriends(novel)

Offthefunkingchain · 17/04/2022 13:28

Oh also the TV series Sweet Magnolias. One of the 3 main characters is again larger than the average actress. It doesn't seem to be part of the story at all.

Cyberworrier · 17/04/2022 13:28

I came on to say the girl in The Tourist too! The actress is very pretty and talented.

KittenWithoutPortfolio · 17/04/2022 13:29

Also Agnes Nitt in the Discworld - she's the lead character in one book and she's about 19

MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler · 17/04/2022 13:29

Was also going to say This Is Us

DonnaHaywood · 17/04/2022 13:29

@quiteathome

I was going to say 'This is Us' but her weight is part of a lot of the story. I like the character though
Cross post! Agreed it's a focus in the first season, but I'm watching S5 atm and really like that her size isn't a plot line at all, and she hasn't had to lose weight to develop/grow as a character.
SamphirethePogoingStickerist · 17/04/2022 13:30

If you get the Vera books you'd be a bit surprised. She is much more overweight and, as the books include a lot of her musings, she does a running commentary on it sometimes. Usually amusing, often barbed but it is there in all the original books.