Survival of the Thickest Review: The Netflix comedy-drama show is created by Michelle Buteau and Danielle Sanchez Witzel, and directed by Linda Mendoza. There are eight episodes in the series with a runtime of about 26-30 minutes and follows a stylist named Mavis Beaumont, whose life takes a turn when her boyfriend cheats on her and she has to start over again.
The ensemble cast of the series includes Michelle Buteau as Mavis Beaumont, Tone Bell as Khalil, Tasha Smith as Marley, Christine Horn, Garcelle Beauvais as Natasha, Anissa Felix as India, Peppermint as Peppermint, Taylor Selé as Jacque, Marouane Zotti as Luca, Michelle Visage as Avery, Sarah Cooper as Sydney, Anthony Michael Lopez as Bruce, Liza Treyger as Jade, Allan K. Washington as Trent, Matteo Lane,
Survival of the Thickest Review
Mavis Beaumont is a stylist, who has always been assisting other stylists and looking for her big break as the lead stylist. She even gets the opportunity to do that with a big brand and as everything was going so well, she finds her boyfriend cheating. Breaking off a relationship of 5 years, Mavis moves into a small apartment with an eccentric flatmate and has to start over her life, with new work opportunities.
While it might sound like a story that everyone might have heard or seen before, but what makes Survival of the Thickest different, is how the same story is treated. Although the usage of current internet slang in dialogues might feel a bit overdone and animated, the lead character of the series is what we always needed on screen. Michelle Buteau as Mavis is not one of those annoying leads that only crib & crib about all the wrong things in their lives and even neglect their friends, only to run back to them and say a simple sorry for messing up big time.
She is one of the ‘realest’ fictional characters that just feels good to watch. And the creators also tried to break the age-old stereotypes of all the female leads having a gay male best friend. Her relationship with Khalil is something that we don’t get to see play out on screen, without indulging them in a love angle when Mavis becomes single. Even the secondary characters are not just there to rescue Mavis every time, but grow along with her, questioning their lives and choices.
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Along with all the fun and comedy, the show also highlights the challenges that black and plus-size people face in the current world. From having racist encounters while minding your own rightful business to being shamed for not fitting into the one beauty mould, the story tackles the real situations that many would relate to. The biggest part of Mavis’s journey is to love herself and feel confident enough in her body, as well as help others achieve the same, regardless of their body size.
Often the body-positive role models are shown as super-confident people with absolutely no insecurities. The moment they show some dislike towards themself, they are branded as fake and not following what they preach. But that’s not the reality and as a human, one feels a variety of emotions.
Likewise, having a plus size is not the main focus of the story, it’s an aspect of Mavis’ character but her size doesn’t define everything happening in her life. There’s heartbreak, finding a new purpose, meeting new people, love, friendship and a lot more that makes the show interesting to watch. Maybe because it’s based on Buteau’s acclaimed book of essays and she is the one producing it, it feels like a piece taken out of somebody’s real life. And if you are looking for a quick, feel-good show then this would definitely be a good choice.
Rating: 4/5
Survival of the Thickest is currently streaming on Netflix.
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