Nikki Blonsky and Lilly Hollemon in "Queen-Sized"
courtesy of Lifetime
"Queen-Sized" (Lifetime)

Screen newcomer Nikki Blonsky was a smash in the film version of the Broadway play "Hairspray." She even won a Golden Globe nomination for her role as the irrepressible Tracey Turnblad. Now she follows up that success with the lead role in the Lifetime original movie "Queen-Sized." This film is based on a true incident and delivers a message wrapped up in an entertaining presentation.

Maggie Baker (Blonsky) is a high school senior in Greenville, South Carolina. Overweight she has been on the receiving end of jeers and insults all of her high school career. Her mother (Annie Potts) tries to get her to watch her weight but Maggie is too far gone to care. She is grieving for the loss of her loving father, and she is grieving because she is not the "typically" popular girl.

One day a particularly mean-spirited girl (Liz McGeever) places Maggie's name in nomination for Homecoming Queen. She plans for it to be a big joke and for it to embarrass Maggie, but Maggie takes the idea and runs with it. Her friends join in and help Maggie make it a cause for all of those who are not "typical."

The scenes at the first of the movie show Maggie winning the crown and that removes some of the suspense. It would have been better to start at the beginning and let the facts flow as they would. Giving away the ending is not a smart move.

Blonsky is as appealing and fresh-faced in this movie as she was in "Hairspray." She certainly looks and acts the part of a girl who could be voted "Homecoming Queen." Although she is a large girl it would be nice to see her in a role that didn't have her designated as "the fat girl."

Annie Potts is always a welcome addition to any cast and in this film she gets to play two roles. She is the long suffering and supporting mother, and she is also Maggie's imaginary harasser. You can always count on Potts to deliver one hundred per cent and she does so in this film.

The point of the film is that no one is the "typical" person but that all of us are unique and special. Blonsky and Potts bring this story to life and make it good entertainment as well as a message movie that actually delivers a point. This is the kind of Lifetime movie that can provoke good conversation within your family. Watch it with your kids and then talk about the issues.

"Queen-Sized" premieres on Lifetime, January 12 at 9PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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