The Fat Boy Chronicles


The Fat Boy Chronicles is a film about Jimmy Winterpock, an obese high-school student who deals with bullying and trying to lose weight. The film is inspired by a true story about an obese 9th grader in Cincinnati and a novel and film were released in 2010, and was later released on Netflix. The movie received mixed reviews, with users on Rotten Tomatoes giving the movie a 49% "Rotten" rating.

Plot

Jimmy Winterpock always gets teased by the football team for being overweight at 188 pounds and only 5 ft 5. As a school assignment he writes about it in his journal. He soon meets a girl named Sable Moore who, as the story goes on, Jimmy learns that she cuts herself. After making quick friends, they start to go to church together. Eventually, Jimmy begins jogging with his father, with a goal to lose 38 pounds. Paul Grove, Jimmy's friend was the one who told him to do this. Paul talks Jimmy into sneaking out to a party. Later Paul's father commits suicide. Paul runs away and gets injured in an accident in Colorado. Jimmy tutors Robb Thurman, who is the football captain. Robb, because of this, tells his teammates not to harass Jimmy any more, as they become friends.

Characters

  • Jimmy Winterpock – A normally depressed boy outside of home and church, he is the protagonist. As the main character of the book and film, Jimmy tries to lose weight.
  • Paul Grove – Jimmy's best friend a troubled teen with drug addict parents, he struggles to find meaning in his life.
  • Sable Moore – Jimmy's love interest and later girlfriend, she has mental issues and cuts herself to heal her mental scars.
  • Robb Thuman – A high school quarterback for the team, as well as a bully who, after a few tutoring sessions with Jimmy, starts to protect him.
  • Allen Winterpock – Jimmy's father who is also somewhat overweight, who runs with him during their jogs.
  • Marianne Winterpock – Jimmy's mother.
  • Dr. Jeffords – The doctor that examined Jimmy.
  • Nate Hammer – A punk teen who has bullied Jimmy since middle school.
  • Mr. Grove
  • Ms. Pope – Jimmy’s high school English teacher. She assigns Jimmy to write 3 half pages a day in his journal. This journal is a driving point of the film.
  • Whitney Elliot – A popular cheerleader who despite pretending to be Jimmy’s friend is another bully.
  • Allen Zuckerman – Another victim of bullying at Jimmy’s school. After discovering they ride the same bus, Jimmy and Allen become friends.