Rex Reed’s review of Identity Thief in The New York Observer is a scathing takedown of the film, which is fine. He's entitled to his opinion. He's a critic. What’s not fine, and what he's not entitled to, is his continual harping star's Melissa McCarthy and her weight.
Reed constantly mentions McCarthy’s weight in the review—which clearly has nothing to do with the film. He calls her “tractor-sized,” “humongous,” and a “hippo.” And apparently Reed just doesn’t have a problem with McCarthy’s character in the film.
Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) is a gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success.
Lest we forget that Jason Bateman is also in this movie, yet Reed has nothing but praise calling him “charming and attractive.” Bateman’s weight remains undiscussed in the review.
Reed’s comments about McCarthy’s weight are fat-shaming, disgusting and completely irrelevant to his review of the film. Next time, he should focus more on what didn’t work as opposed to the weight of the female lead.
