Okay, to be perfectly honest, the main reason I wanted to see this film was because of the director. Or, to be more specific, the director's name. Her name is Gillian Ropespierre, and if that doesn't also make you want to immediately see this film then we can't be friends. After watching the trailer, I was intrigued into what sort of film this would turn into, since it's tackling a subject that is quite controversial in America, abortion. And it's a comedy. How could this work? Could this work? Well, I am pleased to say that it can.
Donna (Jenny Slate), a comedienne who also works in a bookshop, is dumped after one of her sets by her boyfriend, who also reveals that he has been cheating on her with one of her friends. After having a one night stand with Max (Jake Lacy), Donna discovers that she is pregnant and, realising that she isn't ready for motherhood, decides to have an abortion. Meanwhile, as she and Max grow closer, she tries to tell him of her decision, while also trying to get a grip on her quickly deteriorating life.
First up, this film tackles a subject that most rom-coms shy away from in both a funny and honest way. Most rom-coms that revolve around unexpected pregnancy don't even consider other options to having the baby, despite how immature the parents may be. And, most importantly, Obvious Child doesn't condemn Donna for deciding to get an abortion. And I applauded the film for taking a controversial subject and not making it a message film. It's not about being pro-choice or pro-life, it's just about one persons decision. It doesn't treat it like a be all and end all situation, it's just another event in her life that she learns and grows from.
But I think the crowning glory of Obvious Child is the way it takes quite a serious subject and making it funny! And this film is pretty hilarious! I think it was Kevin Smith who once said "The big bucks are in dick and fart jokes". If that is the case then this film should make millions. Most of the humour is dialogue and character based, but it's centered in a realistic setting, which basically means that the film doesn't go out of its way to create comedic set-points that would not happen in real life. That being said, most of the dialogue is full of bodily fluids, genitalia, and of course, dicks and farts. And it is gloriously funny!
Unlike other films that uses crude, gross-out humour to make shock jokes that aren't actually that funny when you get past the shock factor, Obvious Child uses this sort of humour for the characters to hide behind. Donna herself has problems talking face to face with people, and so uses her comedic routines to address the important issues in her life. And again, this masking humour is used in the conversations between Max and Donna, where they tease each other instead of talking about things that need to be talked about.
This way of using humour creates a vulnerability in Donna that is both relatable and honest. And this also comes through in Jenny Slate's acting. I haven't come across Slate before, apparently she was in Parks and Recreation, but I haven't watched that... yet. I hope she does some more films, and I also hope that Gillian Robespierre makes more films, since this is one of the funniest American comedies I have seen in a long while. It was also nice to Gabby Hoffmann in a role after years of not doing much. And here, playing Donna's feminist amd free-spirited roommate, Nellie, she really has come a long way from her roles in pre-teen melodramas.
I suppose I should also talk about the romance briefly, and it's not bad. The biggest complaint I have is that Max does come across like a saint at times, which is a problem a lot of rom-coms have. But I am glad that he and Donna don't do the whole 'love at first sight' thing. There is an attraction, there is sex, but the relationship part takes time to grow and develop throughout the film. And there is a chemistry between Slate and Lacy that makes their interactions seem natural.
So, if you're tired of the general paint-by-numbers rom-coms that are still being produced, then you should check this one out. The characters are awesome and realistic, the acting is great, it tackles a controversial subject while also making dick and fart jokes. What more could you want? Until next time, readers.
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