I've always thought Jenny Slate hilarious, but Obvious Child shows she has a lot more range than I would have thought. She plays a stand-up comic whose life is falling apart and who must face adulthood when surprised by an unwanted pregnancy. This self-aware rom-com has some genuinely funny moments, but also isn't afraid to dwell on drama, making for a grounded film where some of the characters just happen to be funny, perhaps to keep the darkness at bay. Most characters pale compared to Slate's performance, and they do feel real, not overwritten, their performances most subtle than films like this usually allow. Off-color and in some ways controversial, Obvious Child somehow manages to register as sweet and charming in the end.
I watched this film 100% for Jenny Slate, and I got what I wanted in that regard.
This movie is a lot of things at once. It's a little bit of comedy, but I laughed maybe once or twice. It's a little bit of romance, but I didn't really feel that. It's mostly just the process of an abortion. I expected a comedy and didn't really get much of that, but if you go in with the expectation that it's about an abortion and everything that surrounds it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and happy with the result.
So, when did it get to be okay to tell someone something in a standup routine that you're not comfortable saying in a voice mail message?
There were things I liked about this film. There were also things that I found really annoying and troubling. I think my bottom line in ambivalence. I feel sorry for those who watch this expecting the more usual rom-com: they might be really disappointed.
Rom-Coms. Like the ever so fragile horror genre, there is a very small window of success when it comes to romantic comedies. At least for me. I know a few people that can’t get enough of them. A few professional critics I read laud films like Love Actually and 500 Days of Summer. I’ve seen the latter. I thought it was okay. One of my favorite films of all time, Lost in Translation, could possibly be categorized as a Rom-Com but I wouldn’t say so. That film is a dream like look at empathy and loneliness but surprisingly establishes the exact quality that I look for when I watch something romantic, realism. Whether it’s funny or not, realism is what makes a good film from a bad one. I also think that tragedy can be a very useful but overused tool when it comes to these films. The Apartment had heavy tones dealing with adultery and suicide, yet was still hysterical and endearing. Blue Valentine was devastating as we see two people spiral out of love. Obvious Child is hilarious but deals with unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Maybe I’m just fucked up, but I just can’t like a romantic film unless something horrible happens. I guess that’s why I don’t consider Lost in Translation to be a rom-com. Nothing bad really happens. It’s just two people hanging out and developing a relationship.
Obvious Child does the opposite. It starts with the end of a relationship which catapults the films protagonist Donna, played INCREDIBLY by Jenny Slate, into a bit of a spiral. Donna is a comedian and brings her life on stage every time she gets up there. She eventually meets Max and here is where the films starts to develop into what ended up being such a pleasant surprise.
Like I said before, realism is important to me. I have to be able to feel like the characters in the film could actually exist in real life. No woman that Jennifer Lopez or Cameron Diaz have ever existed outside of Beverly Hills, Miami, or the upper west side. The majority of rom-com female leads make up the smallest percentage of what real women are like. Jenny Slate brings realism to this film. She’s awkward, anxious, and has no idea what she’s doing in her life. She reminds me of Greta Gerwig from Frances Ha except a little less hipster cool. Donna lives in Brooklyn, somehow pays only $500 in rent (which totally contradicts this whole realism theme), and works at a failing bookstore. She’s an everyday person. Thankfully, she’s also hilarious. I had a few laugh of loud moments while watching this. Slate, who appears regularly on comedy central shows such as The Kroll Show, has a natural sense of comedic timing which really helped me connect with her character. She just seemed like a person who is struggling to make an impact at 26 years old just like everybody else who is 26 is.
As the film progresses, Slate’s acting chops really start to show. I was surprised. I had heard that she was great in the film and saw that she was nominated for a Spirit award but she still caught me off guard. The tornado that her life ran into required some serious emotional cutbacks and Slate handled it perfectly. She was able to convey a girl who has no idea how she got herself into the situation perfectly. I was impressed.
The film tackles some sensitive subjects with honesty. Abortion isn’t a very widely used subject for film, especially comedies, but Obvious Child was able to take it on without getting too heavy, but also not insulting the situation with humor. I’m the type of person that cracks jokes at funerals and is laughing while being taken to the ER. I always have been. I use humor as a defense mechanism when things are too serious to handle, at least in public. When I’m alone or with family, the true feelings come out, and they did in this film. Those scenes were touching.
The supporting cast was good, but this is really Slate’s show. She didn’t carry the film because I think it was a very well written and directed movie, but I don’t think it would have been the same without her. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Instant and I’d totally recommend it.
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Comments 1 - 11 of 11
Siskoid
I've always thought Jenny Slate hilarious, but Obvious Child shows she has a lot more range than I would have thought. She plays a stand-up comic whose life is falling apart and who must face adulthood when surprised by an unwanted pregnancy. This self-aware rom-com has some genuinely funny moments, but also isn't afraid to dwell on drama, making for a grounded film where some of the characters just happen to be funny, perhaps to keep the darkness at bay. Most characters pale compared to Slate's performance, and they do feel real, not overwritten, their performances most subtle than films like this usually allow. Off-color and in some ways controversial, Obvious Child somehow manages to register as sweet and charming in the end.jhhayes
Jenny Slate is so cute and funny. I look forward to seeing more of her.elgw
Funny, touching, sweet.catherinefrances
I absolutely adored this film. Definitely recommend!Joker of Gotham
Adorable charming it feels very real.Jenny Slate is so likeable, she's so funny and beautiful I find her attractive, I want to see more of her.
The movie deals with this situation in a way that other movies don´t do it, it is a different approach.
4.25/5
stanleyskubrick
One of the best romantic comedies I've seen.MMDan
Kanopygobberpooper
I watched this film 100% for Jenny Slate, and I got what I wanted in that regard.This movie is a lot of things at once. It's a little bit of comedy, but I laughed maybe once or twice. It's a little bit of romance, but I didn't really feel that. It's mostly just the process of an abortion. I expected a comedy and didn't really get much of that, but if you go in with the expectation that it's about an abortion and everything that surrounds it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and happy with the result.
xianjiro
So, when did it get to be okay to tell someone something in a standup routine that you're not comfortable saying in a voice mail message?There were things I liked about this film. There were also things that I found really annoying and troubling. I think my bottom line in ambivalence. I feel sorry for those who watch this expecting the more usual rom-com: they might be really disappointed.
filmyjo
Abortion is a sin/crime, though the person might do it for whatsoever reasons...The_Comatorium
Rom-Coms. Like the ever so fragile horror genre, there is a very small window of success when it comes to romantic comedies. At least for me. I know a few people that can’t get enough of them. A few professional critics I read laud films like Love Actually and 500 Days of Summer. I’ve seen the latter. I thought it was okay. One of my favorite films of all time, Lost in Translation, could possibly be categorized as a Rom-Com but I wouldn’t say so. That film is a dream like look at empathy and loneliness but surprisingly establishes the exact quality that I look for when I watch something romantic, realism. Whether it’s funny or not, realism is what makes a good film from a bad one. I also think that tragedy can be a very useful but overused tool when it comes to these films. The Apartment had heavy tones dealing with adultery and suicide, yet was still hysterical and endearing. Blue Valentine was devastating as we see two people spiral out of love. Obvious Child is hilarious but deals with unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Maybe I’m just fucked up, but I just can’t like a romantic film unless something horrible happens. I guess that’s why I don’t consider Lost in Translation to be a rom-com. Nothing bad really happens. It’s just two people hanging out and developing a relationship.Obvious Child does the opposite. It starts with the end of a relationship which catapults the films protagonist Donna, played INCREDIBLY by Jenny Slate, into a bit of a spiral. Donna is a comedian and brings her life on stage every time she gets up there. She eventually meets Max and here is where the films starts to develop into what ended up being such a pleasant surprise.
Like I said before, realism is important to me. I have to be able to feel like the characters in the film could actually exist in real life. No woman that Jennifer Lopez or Cameron Diaz have ever existed outside of Beverly Hills, Miami, or the upper west side. The majority of rom-com female leads make up the smallest percentage of what real women are like. Jenny Slate brings realism to this film. She’s awkward, anxious, and has no idea what she’s doing in her life. She reminds me of Greta Gerwig from Frances Ha except a little less hipster cool. Donna lives in Brooklyn, somehow pays only $500 in rent (which totally contradicts this whole realism theme), and works at a failing bookstore. She’s an everyday person. Thankfully, she’s also hilarious. I had a few laugh of loud moments while watching this. Slate, who appears regularly on comedy central shows such as The Kroll Show, has a natural sense of comedic timing which really helped me connect with her character. She just seemed like a person who is struggling to make an impact at 26 years old just like everybody else who is 26 is.
As the film progresses, Slate’s acting chops really start to show. I was surprised. I had heard that she was great in the film and saw that she was nominated for a Spirit award but she still caught me off guard. The tornado that her life ran into required some serious emotional cutbacks and Slate handled it perfectly. She was able to convey a girl who has no idea how she got herself into the situation perfectly. I was impressed.
The film tackles some sensitive subjects with honesty. Abortion isn’t a very widely used subject for film, especially comedies, but Obvious Child was able to take it on without getting too heavy, but also not insulting the situation with humor. I’m the type of person that cracks jokes at funerals and is laughing while being taken to the ER. I always have been. I use humor as a defense mechanism when things are too serious to handle, at least in public. When I’m alone or with family, the true feelings come out, and they did in this film. Those scenes were touching.
The supporting cast was good, but this is really Slate’s show. She didn’t carry the film because I think it was a very well written and directed movie, but I don’t think it would have been the same without her. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Instant and I’d totally recommend it.
4/5
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