'Dumplin' review: Dolly Parton is guiding light in heartwarming young-adult film

Maggie Jones
Knoxville

Dolly Parton may not star in the newly released Netflix film "Dumplin'," but she's the driving force behind its story and gives it some sparkle along the way.

Danielle Macdonald stars as Willowdean "Dumplin'" Dickson in the Netflix film "Dumplin'."

Through her quotes, music and various posters of her likeness, Parton is a constant presence in the film, which centers around one of her biggest fans, Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald). "Dumplin'" released on Friday on Netflix.

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"Dumplin'" is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Julie Murphy. The story follows Willowdean, an overweight teenager, who is introduced to Parton's music at a young age by her aunt Lucy (Hilliary Begley). The two bond while belting out Parton's songs and having a room decorated with posters of her.

Willowdean is also the daughter of Rosie Dickson (Jennifer Aniston), Lucy's sister and a former beauty queen who coordinates the annual pageant in their small town of Clover City, Texas.

The mother and daughter couldn't be more different. Willowdean isn't uncomfortable about her appearance, while her mother puts time, effort and a lot of hairspray into looking perfect at all times. Their relationship is further strained when Rosie calls Willowdean by her much hated nickname "Dumplin'."

Things come to a head between the two when Willowdean decides to enter her mother's pageant as a protest, and other not-so-typical pageant contestants Hannah (Bex Taylor-Klaus), an all-black wearing rebel, and Millie (Maddie Baillio), a sheltered overweight student, follow suit.

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A relatable cast of characters

Looking at "Dumplin's" premise, it seems like it could fall into the trap of having characters who embody stiff stereotypes: the pageant-obsessed mother, the rebellious daughter and the typical high school misfits. 

It's to screenwriter Kristin Hahn and the cast's credit that the film's characters are more complicated than that. The most compelling examples being Aniston's Rosie and Macdonald's Willowdean.

While Rosie values her pageant, she also works hard in a nursing home and doing dress alternations to support her family. Willowdean starts out hating the pageant, but her experience with it teaches her to be less judgmental toward others.

The pageant's effects on Rosie and Willowdean's relationship rates as one of the best parts of the film, too, as they learn to put more effort into understanding each other.

The "Dumplin'" soundtrack, which was released Nov. 30, features songs written and performed by Dolly Parton and others.

Why Dolly Parton fit so well in 'Dumplin''

"Dumplin's" narrative on its own is inspiring, and Parton's presence through her music and her life story takes it a step further.

Parton and Linda Perry worked together on the film's soundtrack, which features new music and new versions of Parton's "Dumb Blonde" and "Jolene."

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The soundtrack helps move the story along, providing upbeat tracks for the film's highs, and the slower "Girl in the Movies," sung by Parton, at the movie's lowest point.

Another fun connection to Parton in the film is the Dolly drag queen show that takes place at the town's bar, the Hideaway. It's there that Willowdean, Hannah and Millie meet drag queen Rhea Ranged (Harold Perrineau), who later on helps the three prepare for the pageant in a hilarious montage scene.

Over the years, Parton has talked about how she has seen drag queens dress up as her and said they often look more like her than she does.

Parton's presence and music work so well in this film because she embodies both lessons learned by Willowdean in this story: there's no shame in using a little glitter and makeup to flaunt your outer beauty, and staying true to yourself is the most important thing.

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