‘Obvious Child’ handles subject of abortion honestly and with humor

  • By Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic
  • Wednesday, June 18, 2014 4:02pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

In theory, the main character of “Obvious Child” might’ve had a different occupation; she could have been an accountant, or a grad student or a waitress.

But Donna Stern is a stand-up comedian, and that is as it should be. Her act consists of exposing her personal problems and making them funny, in a style that’s meant to be honest and maybe cathartic.

Likewise, the movie attempts to air difficult, tangled issues in a blunt, no-sweat sort of way. Both Donna and her movie are pretty successful.

Donna, played by Jenny Slate, has just crashed after a breakup. In the aftermath, a one-night fling with a squarish guy named Max (Jake Lacy) results in pregnancy, an unexpected event that leads to Donna planning an abortion and also gauging whether to let Max in on the matter.

By including abortion so frankly in the story line, writer-director Gillian Robespierre is obviously engaging a topic that is rarely dealt in movies that aren’t single-note “issue” pictures. What’s unusual about this is the way abortion is a reality in Donna’s life, but not the sole reason for the movie’s existence—it’s just part of the world the protagonist lives in.

A few years ago “Knocked Up” took surprise pregnancy as a plot device, but didn’t have the nerve to mention abortion except as a passing joke. In folding abortion into a plot that is generally realistic in its approach, “Obvious Child” de-mystifies a divisive subject.

The overall feel of the movie is indie-Brooklyn: Donna has divorced but hip parents (Richard Kind, Polly Draper), a gay best friend (Gabe Liedman), and skeptical feminist roommate (Gaby Hoffman). All are types, but the performances are spirited.

Even as the movie dawdles along (to the point where its 84 minutes begin to feel slow), it does create atmosphere. It seems right that a film about a stand-up performer would have its rambling moments, like a monologue that occasionally loses its way.

Half the success of this film is because of the performance by Jenny Slate, a comedian whose TV stints have included a year on “Saturday Night Live” and short-term runs on “Parks and Recreation” and “House of Lies.”

Balancing sharp comic timing with a believably human presence, Slate never loses the thread of the character even during the film’s more absurd moments. She catches things that a non-comic actor probably wouldn’t find, like the absurdity in needing to make life funny even in the teeth of dark moments. She should come out of this a star.

“Obvious Child” (3 stars)

The world of a stand-up comedian (Jenny Slate), whose unexpected pregnancy leads her to consider abortion; although this plot strand is folded into an overall character study, not made the sole issue. An effective comedy, and Slate should come out of the film a star.

Rating: R, for language, subject matter

Showing: Guild 45th

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.