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Every day, we’re bombarded by images of physical perfection: the perfect face, the perfect body, the perfect style. It’s no wonder that most of us feel insecure. But in I Feel Pretty, a perfectly average woman discovers that the important thing isn’t how other people see her—it’s how she sees herself.
I Feel Pretty stars Amy Schumer as Renee Bennett, an average girl who struggles with insecurity, feeling like she’s too fat and ugly to be noticed. But when she falls off her SoulCycle bike and hits her head, she believes that her greatest wish has suddenly come true—and she’s been magically transformed into the kind of gorgeous woman that she’s always envied. Newly strong and confident, she has the courage to approach men and apply for a more high-profile job. And she soon finds that her magical new life is everything she’s ever wanted.
I Feel Pretty has a lot to say about how we perceive ourselves and how our self-image affects so much of our lives: our friendships, our relationships, our careers, and our general happiness. From a young age, girls (and boys, too) are told that we need to be thin and pretty and rich and popular to be worth anything. No matter who we are, it’s impossible to live up to every expectation. Everyone falls short. And in her silly, over-the-top way, Schumer teaches the importance of loving ourselves (and those around us) for whom we are—flaws and all.
Admittedly, though, the message sometimes gets a little muddled. On one hand, viewers are supposed to see how Renee’s new-found confidence changes her life for the better. She gets attention, dates, respect, and a job she loves. But, on the other hand, in the process, she also becomes shallow and mean to her “normal” friends. On one hand, viewers are supposed to learn an important message about loving yourself for who you are—that things like your body, your appearance, and your voice don’t matter. But, on the other hand, a lot of the humor comes from the fact that Renee is acting like someone with supermodel looks when she actually has cellulite and a muffin top. We’re told that we should love ourselves just the way we are, yet we’re supposed to feel embarrassed for her because she’s doing just that.
Still, despite the messiness of the story, the lovable cast makes it fun. Schumer gleefully gives it her all, never shying away from the awkwardness. And though some moments are more cringe-worthy than comical, it’s also surprisingly charming.
If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to plan a girls’ night out, this is it. I Feel Pretty may not have it all put together, but it’s funny with a good heart—an entertaining tribute to average girls.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
