| Original Score: 1/5 | May 6, 2006

even though this movie is a bit of a mess, it turns out to be unexpectedly sweet and funny. Its very amateurishness gives it freshness and authenticity.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Apr 13, 2006

While it's a pleasure to watch the likeable Kendra Johnson open up and come out of her shell, Phat Girlz belongs to Mo'Nique, a grating, belligerent woman who alternates self-deprecating fat jokes with drama-queen meltdowns and simpering pleas for

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Apr 13, 2006

Jazmin's so fat that the movie reduces her to a single discernible characteristic, which is a telltale mark of many a wholly awful comedy.

| Original Score: D | Apr 12, 2006

The first word of the movie's title stands for Pretty Hot and Thick. The second word is never spelled out, but it could mean Good Intentions Ruined by Lousy Zingers.

Full Review | Apr 11, 2006

Barely written and stiffly directed by Nnegest Likké, Phat Girlz is an undernourished comedy about a sassy, overweight heroine.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Apr 10, 2006

A thin comedy about a size-plus heroine.

Full Review | Apr 10, 2006

The film is amateurishly directed and sluggishly paced with an anorexic plot. Even the photography, sound and costumes are substandard.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Apr 10, 2006

Beneath the movie's broad humor and meanspirited put-downs lies an uplifting story about learning to like yourself for who you are, not what you look like.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 10, 2006

If it weren't for Mo'Nique's fresh, appealing screen presence, Phat Girlz would fall flat.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Apr 10, 2006

This is a disarming and, in its own way, delightful vehicle for its star and executive producer, the comedian and actress Mo'Nique. Who could hate this movie?

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 10, 2006

God bless her soul, Mo'Nique even stays believable as the story requires her to finally fall apart and hit a new self-hating low.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Apr 10, 2006

Likk should be applauded for tackling a subject that's bristling with socio-political thorns and raises some provocative questions, particularly about what we find attractive in other people and why.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 8, 2006

| Original Score: C- | Apr 8, 2006

It's a chick flick with good intentions about self-image and body size, yet it leaves an icky aftertaste.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Apr 7, 2006

The cast is likeable, although they deserve a better movie, and at a lean 99 minutes, at least the plot hasn't been padded. But there's only so far you can go with fat jokes, as plus-sized comic Mo'Nique is discovering.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Apr 7, 2006

There's a lot to laugh at and cheer for in this rousing comedy.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 7, 2006