Jenny Slate is 'Unapologetically Herself' in 'Obvious Child'

By Chelsea Donohue on October 21, 2014

Photo Credit: Feminspire.com

Warning: plot spoilers!

I like everything from animated movies, to zombie comedies (why hasn’t anyone combined those two words into the word zomedies yet?), to action movies featuring both cartoon animals and real-life old dudes, to documentaries (but particularly not about foods that I love to eat- here’s looking at you Food Inc., as you soiled the beauty of the chicken nugget for me…temporarily).

History (mainly my Netflix history) has proven the romantic comedy (or romedy, if you will) to be my favorite. While I can recognize the sometimes cookie-cutter formula involved in the making of these movies, I can’t help but admit that they are some of my favorites.

However, my newest favorite movie does not fit so easily into the romantic comedy mold. This particular movie is A24 Films’ Obvious Child, the 2014 Sundance Film Festival comedy written and directed by Gillian Robespierre. The film stars Jenny Slate, an actress best known for her SNL stint and her various appearances on television shows, including NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Slate plays Donna Stern, a stand-up comic who, along with losing her job, is dumped in a bar bathroom by her boyfriend after he admits to cheating on her with one of her friends.

Donna is forced to accept what has happened, a feat made either easier or more difficult by the appearance of Max, a stranger turned one-night-stand, turned…

The ellipsis here is important because it is where the story happens. Max, played by Jake Lacy, is thrown into the story at just the right moments. Lacy, who previously played Pete on The Office, effortlessly creates Max’s persona as the good guy everyone wants around (see trailer below- the butter part, am I right?).

Donna must confront her relationship with Max and deal with the outcome of their previous meeting. The film deals with the experience of having an abortion, one that is written into the film with a perspective that seems both real and honest. Slate portrays Donna with just the right amount of humor and truth, a performance that makes the film’s issues and experiences seem genuine.

The question of whether or not Max has made Donna’s breakup easier or harder is what makes the movie so amazing. You root for Donna. You root for Max. And you root for yourself, as you realize that you are trying to do just what Donna has been doing, with her stand-up and with the rest of her life: be “unapologetically herself.”

Obvious Child- Official Trailer

 

 

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