Books/films with obese female protagonist?

[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.

Not quite what you're asking for, but Molly Weasley is always described in a mumsy, matronly, dumpy way. The spells she is seen to cast are always domestic and mundane. Her character revolves around her love and care for her family and extending that to Harry and Hermione.

Then in the last book, Hermione who is a great spellcaster struggles to transfigure food to substantially improve it. At one point, Tonks the Auror struggles with packing clothes neatly. Maybe the skill of domestic magic is underrated... Then there's the finale where Molly's love for her children, grief and need to protect them gives her the power to finish off Bellatrix a particularly powerful and skillful witch.

Olive Kitteridge in the books by Elizabeth Strout

MargaretThursday coincidentally I was watching an American DIY programme recently and one of the projects featured an enthusiastic girl who was learning to do various woodwork projects. She was missing a lower arm but managed very well. Maybe your daughter would like to watch it? I think the girl must have been a big hit because the show had her back a few years later!

The show is on the This Old House website, "Ask This Old House" season 20 episode 10 (title "Camilla's Workshop") Also search youtube for How to Build a Dog Dish Stand, featuring Camilla.

Drifters is a comedy on channel 4 and Netflix. There’s a character in it that’s bigger. It’s never mentioned. She’s a great character and so funny.
But I don’t know if that’s what you are looking for.

Hyacinth Bouquet whilst a figure of fun was a fantastic lead role for a mature, portly woman.

All jennifer weiner novels have non thin women as their main character but it is referred to throughout.

iirc, Oprah, Colour Purple
I don't think Queen Latifah has ever been skinny; QL has been in many things.

My Mad Fat Diary, Derry Girls, The US Office, Glow, Orange is the New Black. Possibly Girls and The Mindy Project at various points too

@TeaAndStrumpets

There are a fair number of upper limb amputees on TV now. In fact through her charity we get a number of "casting" for games shows etc. She's done a few things herself-in that way her missing hand gives her opportunities she wouldn't otherwise have got.
Cerrie Burnell was a great representative back when dd was tiny and the TV industry seemed to pick up from there and realise that they could use people who weren't visibly "normal" and (being very cynical here) that someone missing an arm has relatively little adaptions needed and looks good on their diversity page.

It's more the person in stories who is "normal" but happens to be missing a limb. They go to school, do the shopping, have a strop because they're not wanting to do the washing up etc that is missing. They're expected to either be miserable or an inspiration of bravery.
Most of the people I know are neither. If they're wearing a long top you wouldn't notice until they twist to pick something up, or push up their sleeve. They get on with real life.

Meg in motherland

Don't be ridiculous - she's not obese.

@Marvellousmadness

Nothing heroic about being obese.

And this is us? Really? Its about a woman who hates who she is cuz she is morbidly obese. That isnt heroic. That is opposite of heroic

@Marvellousmadness

The OP isn’t saying it’s intrinsically heroic. But given a lot of people are overweight or obese, she’s asking for characters who reflect that.

[quote MargaretThursday]@TeaAndStrumpets

There are a fair number of upper limb amputees on TV now. In fact through her charity we get a number of "casting" for games shows etc. She's done a few things herself-in that way her missing hand gives her opportunities she wouldn't otherwise have got.
Cerrie Burnell was a great representative back when dd was tiny and the TV industry seemed to pick up from there and realise that they could use people who weren't visibly "normal" and (being very cynical here) that someone missing an arm has relatively little adaptions needed and looks good on their diversity page.

It's more the person in stories who is "normal" but happens to be missing a limb. They go to school, do the shopping, have a strop because they're not wanting to do the washing up etc that is missing. They're expected to either be miserable or an inspiration of bravery.
Most of the people I know are neither. If they're wearing a long top you wouldn't notice until they twist to pick something up, or push up their sleeve. They get on with real life.[/quote]
Yes I can see that, thanks for explaining. Miserable/inspiring not always what is required!

@SwimmingOnEggshells

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

[[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle]]offFriends(novel)

In the film, the overweight protagonist was played by the excellent but far from overweight Minnie Driver - so don't bother with the film if you are specifically looking for overweight women.

@DropYourSword

Precious Ramotswe from the Number 1 Ladies Detective Series.

She was played by such a beautiful actress in the TV series.

Yes, Jill Scott. It is a pity more series were not made.

@Offthefunkingchain

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.

I was going to mention this one.

@QueenWatevraWaNabi

Meg in motherland

Don't be ridiculous - she's not obese.

you're right, i think i was remembering her bigger (maybe just because she is tall and unskinny), definitely not obese. i am no twig myself.

she is gorgeous needless to say

It's quite remarkable that a number of people have mentioned Amy Schumer in train wreck on this thread - she was likely a size 12 and definitely no more than a 14 in that film. She wasn't super skinny but in no way is she obese!!

@DropYourSword I haven’t seen the movie so can’t really comment but I am obese wearing a size 12/14 at 5’4 and a 30’ bra size. Clothes sizes are’t necessarily a great indicator.

The equaliser tv show. Queen Latifer plays the title person and she is definitely not skinny.

Lovely line in jumpers too. She totally kicks ass in that show.

The Life and Loves of a She Devil.

No Offence. Joanna Scanlan's lead character is absolutely cracking.

I really like Scanlan whatever she's in.

@Wookydook

Precious ? (As in, the film)

That is partially about her weight though

Jessica Gunning's another larger-figured actress whom I really like. Can't think of anything where she's been the main character, but she's been a major character in a few good things – most recently The Outlaws.

She's just a fab actress who chooses good scripts.