OBVIOUS CHILD  3.5***

 

       Over the years, the film industry has put out plenty of comedies about the perils of an unexpected pregnancy, but seldom has the subject been approached from such a refreshingly different point of view as in “Obvious Child”.

Donna (Jenny Slate) is an aspiring stand-up comedian whose relationship with her long-term boyfriend has just come to a screeching halt, courtesy of his cheating ways. Angry and despondent, Donna unleashes her frustration onstage, crashing and burning in front of the audience before finding solace in a  genuinely nice guy Max (Jake Lacy), with whom she shares a few drinks - and a bed.

When Donna discovers a few weeks later that she's pregnant, her life is thrown into upheaval. After seriously  evaluating her options, she  elects to have an abortion. There's just one problem: Max, her one-night stand happens to be the sweetest, nicest guy Donna has ever met, and he  is obviously interested in more than just a casual fling.

Obvious Child differs from other pregnancy rom-coms by approaching a uniquely feminine issue from a decidedly feminine point of view. This is Donna's story, and while the film is most definitely a comedy, it treats the subject matter of abortion with respect and dignity while never really leaning to one side or the other of this hotly debated issue. It's also a standout performance from Slate, who runs the full gamut of the emotional spectrum, gleefully reveling in Donna's raunchy stand-up act one moment, and losing herself in a tear-jerking scene between Donna and her overbearing (but not unloving) mother.

Obvious Child is a great short little indie film that's definitely worth watching.

 

It has an “R” rating and be forewarned that her standup routines are dirty and crude but nonetheless funny in a story-telling way.

 

Clark

 

PS: This movie came out in the early fall of 2014 and can only be found now on DVD or Netflix or other streaming TV stations.