Obese mortuary cosmetician Grace Hart (Ricki Lake) lives in Queens and rides the subway every day. Her somewhat unhappy existence is noted as she shops in a department store with her best friend, Keri (Nada Despotovich), a socially awkward and mousy coworker, and is rudely asked to please look at their "Large Ladies Department." That same night, she and Keri are at a local skating rink when a young, attractive, amateur ice skater, Rob (Craig Sheffer), catches Grace's eye; she claims that he is the most beautiful man she has ever laid eyes on.