A disappointing film, potentially offensive

Rating: Null/10 (14 December 2003)

This film promised so much, a warm and sincere study of the enduring force of love. Yet what it delivered was insincere, badly presented, scatty and unfulfilling.
If I had been a fat person I would have found the constant references to obesity deeply offensive. This film tragically reinforces the message to more impressionable viewers that there are two basic classes of people - the thin, attractive ones and the fat ugly ones. I found the film divisive, shallow and empty as a result. It's a sad fact that if the negative references were about race or height, there would have been an outcry, and the film would never have made it to the big screen.
Fortunately, this film will be forgotten, not least of all because it is incoherent. It is impossible to have 40 main characters and expect to deliver a punchy, memorable film. There are some good performances, some funny scenes, but basically it is a poor film that did so little with so much.