‘Obvious Child’ is a More Authentic Romantic Comedy

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CHICAGO – Real life is not a romantic comedy, unless you’re willing to understand the levels of clownish tragedy that sometimes accompanies it. The new film “Obvious Child” comprehends all that, and has an unforgettable performance from Jenny Slate in delivering the goods.

Despite the spark of the new romance in the story, there is also underemployment, drunkenness, half remembered one night stands and an unwanted pregnancy – just the usual menu of when-harry-met-sally hijinks. “Obvious Child” covers these undiscovered topics within the film with humor, warmth and courage. The characters have to make decisions, and refreshingly those decisions are not subject to debate or judgment, they just exist in the lives of the participants, and they manage and maintain them accordingly. The main choice has to do with abortion, and it is accomplished by the heroine based on what she needs in the moment, without the intervention of lofty theories or sign-carrying dispute.

Donna (Jenny Slate) is a stand-up comedian and clerk at a bookseller. Her boyfriend has just dumped her, and her storytelling-style act incorporates that pain into her monologue. An audience member named Max (Jake Lacy) is intrigued by Donna’s declarations, and faster than you can say several drinks and a taxi ride, Donna and Max are co-mingling.

Jenny Slate
Donna (Jenny Slate) Contemplates Her Fate in ‘Obvious Child’
Photo credit: A24

The events of the that evening are barely remembered, as Donna gathers her clothing. She feels a bit embarrassed the whole turn-of-events, and wants to put it behind her. That proves to be difficult when she finds out she is pregnant. With consultation from her friend Nellie (Gaby Hoffman), and support from her parents Jacob (Richard Kind) and Nancy (Polly Draper), Donna decides to get an abortion. Cue the romantic music, and add some strings.

You might think that all this would be a drag, given the contentious firestorm that usually occurs when the word “abortion” is uttered, but writer/director Gillian Robespierre and lead actress Jenny Slate create an individual’s story that naturally fits within her uncertain world – was it mentioned that she lost her job at the bookstore because it’s closing? Donna does what is best for her, as an individual who happens to be very funny, and with her support system also manufactures a loving environment to back up her decision.

The main romance between Donna and Max is simply divine, very real and instinctive. Max is perplexed by Donna’s rejection, and has to use all of his should-I-call-or-not-call courage to continue the coupling. The reality of course, is that Donna isn’t really even thinking of him in her distress. There is a marvelous scene in which Donna is packing up the bookstore, literally and figuratively inside a box when Max walks in.

And what a great performance from Jake Lacy as Max. It was subtle and not predictable, as he uses his gee-whiz good looks opposite to what anyone would expect. His reaction to what was happening is incorporated into his portrayal, he often has a bemused look both in concert with Donna’s hilarity, and his own good fortune for having found her. The coming together is plausible and interesting at the same time, and Jake Lacy has a lot to do with that, almost as much as Jenny Slate.

Jenny Slate
Max (Jake Lacy) Woos Donna in ‘Obvious Child’
Photo credit: A24

And then there is the issue of unwanted pregnancy, and what choice to make. In an interview with HollywoodChicago.com, writer/director Robespierre goes over a laundry list of how the abortion issue has been depicted in movies before, all of them counter to the choice that a woman has to make, with a ton of complex emotions. This film is empathetic to that decision, and filters it through one individual – it is Donna’s choice, and Donna’s alone.

Even though this a twentysomething age group exploration, it resonates to all the situations associated with the early relationship phase. We’ve all been there – or aspire to be there – and Gillian Robespierre and Jenny Slate has generated an expression of being there with hilarity…and hope.

“Obvious Child” continues its limited release in Chicago on June 13th. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffman, Gabe Liedman, Richard Kind and Polly Draper. Written and directed by Gillian Robespierre. Rated “R”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2014 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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