A lot of people choose to deal with life’s problems through the route of humorous self-deprecation, or in psych lingo- defense mechanisms. For many, laughter is the best way to deal with pain. There’s even scientific evidence behind it. I, being one of these people, loved this film. Obvious Child‘s main character Donna Stern, played by former SNL cast member Jenny Slate, is also one of these people.
The film opens with an intimate (both in camera placement and subject matter) standup comedy routine from Stern, who jokes about being Jewish, the state of her underwear at the end of the day and farting after sex. She is in-your-face, vulgar and her high-pitched breathy voice is hard to take at first (unless you’re a fan of Marcel the Shell, who Slate is the voice of.) However, something about her is undeniably likable. Her sister Nellie, played by GIRLS actor Gaby Hoffman sums it up in a later scene- she is unapologetically herself.
The film progresses formulaically- Stern’s boyfriend cheats on her with a mutual acquaintance, dumps her and she loses her job at Unoppressive Non-Imperialist Bargain Books (yes, that’s actually a place in the West Village). After several scenes of drunken moping, Stern goes to a bar, meets Max (played by the unconventionally attractive Jake Lacy) and has a one-night stand.
From that point on, the film loses any romantic comedy conventions it may have held before. Stern finds out she’s pregnant and decides without much scripted “should it stay of should it go?” deliberation to get an abortion.
Essentially, the film is a comedic defense mechanism to the extremely controversial and sensitive issue of abortion.
For example: On the eve of her Valentine’s Day abortion, Stern performs a comedy set about it. In the bathroom beforehand, her sister says, “You’re going to kill it” to which Stern quickly and tartly responds, “I actually have an appointment to do that tomorrow.”
People who are easily offended by the humor defense mechanism will most likely find this film alarming and offensive.
Let’s take Christianity Today.
“Perhaps more disturbing, there are a couple irreverent jokes about the abortion, as the lead character tries to make light of a heavy situation,” wrote managing editor Katelyn Beaty.
However, even in the mess of “irreverent jokes”, Beaty finds a reason to recommend the film, to some at least.
“If mature, discerning viewers can stomach Donna Stern ‘going there,” I’d recommend Obvious Child to them. While I ultimately disagree with Robespierre’s political aims, at the least she has provided a sometimes funny, often tender portrait of many (though not all) women who face an unplanned pregnancy.”
Even the film’s writer and director, Gillian Robespierre recognizes the need for jokes with a serious subject.
“Speaking of jokes — of which there are plenty in “Obvious Child” — Robespierre said she didn’t let the touchy topics or serious subject matter restrict any of the film’s potential for humor,” said Tierney Sneed in a US News review
Almost every review of the film includes comparisons to Juno, Knocked Up and Waitress– the three hit movies of Baby Bump ’07. In many ways, Ellen Page is like the younger version of Slate: sarcastic, sharp and offbeat. However, although Juno started as a low-budget film fest flick, it became widely accepted because we got to see a cute baby at the end and the baby went to the woman with her shit together (Jennifer Garner). In Knocked Up, Heigl immediately writes off abortion and ends up with Seth Rogen. They happily celebrate their daughter’s first birthday as the credits roll.
Although not in your face, these movies allude to pro-life.
In a Los Angeles Times column, Jonah Goldberg points out that Obvious Child’s pro-choice stance will likely keep it from commercial success.
“‘Obvious Child,’” then, seems less like the cultural watershed its friends and foes make it to be and more like a barely successful art house flick,” he says.
Obvious Child gives audiences their first look at women after they have an abortion: twiddling their thumbs, looking sedated, clad in light pink hospital gowns and shoes covered in plastic bags. Scenes that haven’t been portrayed on screens before, and even now, only shown in art house theaters.
Obvious Child may not become commercially successful, but it’s a start to repainting the scarlet A– portraying more accurate, controversial stories and not being afraid to let humor and cathartic jokes help.
Obvious Child (R) is playing at The Bijou Metro (43 West Broadway). Weekdays 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m., Weekends 12, 2, 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets $7.