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‘Living Large’ Review: An Overweighted Boy Proudly Takes Up Space in Stop-Motion Charmer


Czech animated feature blends tangible sets and characters with hand-drawn elements for a family-friendly, if familiar story about self-acceptance.

Still, external pressures to lose weight, triggered by a visit to the school’s nurse who proclaims him dangerously obese, convince him that being slimmer would increase his chances at a romantic relationship with Klára (Alexandra Hermans), a friendly classmate on whom he has a crush. A trio of writers (Petr Jarchovský, Barbora Drevikovska, and Anna Vásová) adapted French author Mikaël Ollivier’s novel “La vie, en gros” as the basis for Dufková’s second feature as a director. Though familiar tropes are rather conspicuously baked into the plot, “Living Large” arrives at an encouraging conclusion: From acceptance of his physical appearance, Ben eventually succeeds in carving a new approach to personal improvement.

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