Not even bad in a good way

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

36? 38? I mean seriously. We've been watching this movie for 40 years. College 'friends' together and share their horrific personalities with each other. Because not speaking to each other for decades only to jump on a plane for a long weekend in the woods is a thing people do. And especially when they lose 300 lbs to rub in your 'friends' faces. And because all of that is the rational act of sane people, gather up these people to 'share your last 4 lbs weight loss. You know, because no one grows and changes in 20 years. We do gain some insight into the former fat girl though. She's still an angry control freak.Anyway it pulls every stereotype off the shelf. Uptight Oreo black guy, street black girl, rich douchebag, gay douchebag, friend zone guy, old guy, hillbilly, and of course Melissa McCarthy in her patented hysterical fat girl with borderline personality disorder. But I tell you it never gets old watching near 40 year olds act like 17 year olds imagining what 30 year olds act like. When do they grow up? 45? 50?

Pretty Ugly People is pretty unremarkable. The set-up and general tone of the movie would suggest a quirky independent romp. It may aim for this title, but it's mostly bland and patronizing. A big lass loses weight and arranges a trip for some friends. They all learn valuable lessons and "discover" themselves. These characters aren't horrible enough for any grand changes, nor or they nice enough to actually like. The protagonist is the biggest bitch of all, allowing her friends to believe she is dying. It's a horrible tactic that only the best writing could salvage a heart from. Unfortunately, such talented scripting is absent here.

If you like your jokes innocent and inoffensive Pretty Ugly People is not for you. If you enjoy the average American TV-comedy, like Cheers, the Cosby Show or Friends, stay away from this as far as you can. If you think relation problems and human condition are to be take seriously and nothing to be mocked, if you think Oprah a source of wisdom and if you want to be comforted by some superficial moral lesson, you will think Pretty Ugly People an insult to political correctness. In the latter case you're right.Pretty Ugly People doesn't show how people should be like, it shows how people actually are in reality. People tend to marry each other for the wrong reasons. Why else divorce? They can be egocentric and often hurt each other, exactly like the characters in Pretty Ugly People. A large part of the audience can't stomach that and prefers wearing blinkers.So the point of Pretty Ugly People is not that the spectator should care for one or more characters. Pretty Ugly People holds a mirror and shows human failure. It does it by spoofing the genre of the well-meaning relation movies. The characters in Pretty Ugly People often say and do the wrong things on the wrong moments. Exactly that is what happens in every day life - why else all those quarrels?Still Pretty Ugly People essentially is a feel good movie. In the end everybody is happy. Sure, two characters die, but one was irrelevant for the story. The other, Richard, was a sour man who still showed remorse before closing his eyes. And his death gave his wife Betty the opportunity to find happiness after all. Even the black congressman found what he was looking for, in a rather unusual way.Now Pretty Ugly People is far from perfect. It could have had more politically incorrect jokes and drags a bit now and then. But I see it as a most welcome slightly cynical parody of all that moralistic stuff that has been released last couple of years.

Hey everyone, I'm a HUGE fan of authors and directors who do something different!!! Thank God, I just happened to have come across this film at the Sunset Laemmle 5 called "Pretty Ugly People". A play on words, these people are "pretty" on the outside but have "ugly" things about themselves they need to face. I'm a huge fan of an author that can shock your sensibilities and make you laugh, all at the same time. Not only that, but I surprised myself when (not to ruin the movie for you) I burst out into tears during the film's sudden surprising turn. I remember, 12 years ago, when I saw Todd Solondz's movie, "Welcome to the Dollhouse", it was the first time someone made me laugh-out-loud at his shocking dialogue that revealed each character's pathetic existence which was often times layered with an ignorance that made them "ugly". In many of the same ways, "Pretty Ugly People" holds that same hilarity, as it gives voices to some endearing characters as they struggle to find themselves and find their "pretty" selves and the other side ugly. Like my friend, Heather Ulsvick, who I had seen "Welcome to the Dollhouse" with 12-years ago (who was horrified and shocked by the movie), I appreciate the diverse ways of reacting and interpreting the art around us. For me, that's my kind of movie! Pretty Ugly People was a shocking pleasure and I find myself quoting moments of the movie. "Ignorance is bliss. Ignorant men, yield blissful women." In regards to the previous comment mentioned (by someone who only watched the first 10 minutes of the movie), I find it shocking that someone who only watched the introduction to the film could make such a baseless assessment of the film's intention. If your black, white, gay or straight, a virgin or sexually promiscuous, you will will be guaranteed a cleverly crafted dose of stinging dialogue that promises to give us all a tongue lashing that will leave you laughing.... laughing that is if you have the grace to laugh at yourself. Go see this movie!