Obvious Child

"Obvious Child" is a smart, female-driven comedy that is transgressive, though-provoking, funny, and, ironically, not pretentious.

Jenny Slate shines in a comedic role that really suits her off-beat delivery and dramatic chops. The Blu-ray features a great set of bonus materials that show the nuanced evolution of the film from the original 2009 short into a full-fledged feature that has heart and amazing performances by its talented, albeit underrated, cast.

Slate plays Donna Stern a stand-up comic who doesn't quite have her life together. Her dad (Richard Kind) is a goofy puppeteer; her mother (Polly Draper) is critical and very type-A. Her best friend and roommate, Nellie (Gaby Hoffman), is the voice of reason in her life. After a break-up she gets drunk and meets Max (Jake Lacy), a buttoned-up type with a uniquely compatible wit. They bond, but their romance gets an unexpected surprise in the form of an unwanted pregnancy.

The film isn't heavy-handed about the topic of abortion. Instead, it's no-nonsense about what unwanted pregnancies are like, choosing to accurately portray what the experience is like. And yet, despite the controversial topic of abortion, the film uses some of the typical tropes of romantic comedies with an authenticity of real life.

Hoffman shines and feels like the adult actress we expected from her precocious performances. Lacy and Slate also really shine, and prove they deserve top billing despite mostly playing supporting roles.

The Blu-ray special features showcase how adeptly the film was made and adapted. Writer/director Gillian Robespierre discusses how she met Slate, and the evolution of the original film. It's interesting to see how the short film was adapted into a feature with universal appeal. It could have easily become a movie that led up to an abortion, rather than the hilarious coming-of-age romantic comedy it became. The behind-the-scenes featurette also includes an exploration of how the stand up segments developed, which felt genuinely funny and authentic rather than overwrought.

The original short film from 2009 is also included, as well as some extended and deleted scenes. They include the full stand up sets along with a few short scenes with different jokes that were cut.

Ultimately, "Obvious Child" is a smart comedy adapted from a really clever short film. It feels real and heartfelt rather than pretentious or self-indulgently clever. It has a great cast, an astute premise, and the bonus features celebrate the smart filmmaking of this genuinely entertaining indie.

"Obvious Child"
Blu-ray/Digital Copy
$24.99
www.obviouschildmovie.com