Danielle Macdonald broke out as an aspiring rapper in 2017’s “Patti Cake$” and her next pic sees her taking on the world of Texas beauty pageants. Directed by Anne Fletcher (“27 Dresses”), Netflix’s “Dumplin'” tells the story of Willowdean (Macdonald), or Will, the teenage daughter of a former pageant winner and local celebrity. Rosie (Jennifer Aniston) doesn’t have time for Will, but when the teen decides she’s had enough of her mother’s narcissistic antics, she signs up to compete in Rosie’s Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant. Now her mother will have no choice but to see her — and hear what she thinks about her priorities.
Make no mistake: Will hasn’t entered her name into the race in earnest, and doesn’t consider herself “the Joan of Arc of fat girls.” Instead, she’s planning “a protest in heels.”
“We’re trying to make a point,” Will explains. The trailer doesn’t make her point clear — but it seems that Will herself isn’t quite sure about her ultimate goal. “I got myself into something, but now I don’t know what I’m doing,” she admits.
Macdonald has a role in Sandra Bullock-starrer “Bird Box.” Susanne Bier’s post-apocalyptic thriller will have a limited theatrical release December 13 and hit Netflix December 21.
“The Yellow Birds” and “Office Christmas Party” are among Aniston’s recent credits. She’s set to star in an untitled morning series drama for Apple alongside Reese Witherspoon.
Based on Julie Murphy’s best-selling novel of the same name, “Dumplin'” is penned by Kristin Hahn (“Anthem”). The title is a nod to Rosie’s nickname for Will. The film opens in select theaters and lands on Netflix December 7. Odeya Rush (“Lady Bird”) costars.
