Film No. 71 (2014) Obvious Child October 4th.

Film No. 71 (2014) October 4th. 11.00 AM LUNA Leederville.

Obvious Child

In the concluding scene of Obvious Child, Donna (Jenny Slate) comments "I don't connect with romantic comedies" which is interesting considering we've just connected very successfully to her brilliant 85 minute performance. It was an ironic twist in a film full of small moments; moments which add up to a very serious comedy of the romantic variety.

Now just because I've mentioned romantic comedy please don't jump to Ashton Kucher or Jennifer Anniston conclusions. Obvious Child deals with the issue of abortion through the persona of Donna Stern a young stand up comic who loves life but because of a break up she didn't see coming and a one night stand of the energetic kind, has to take a more serious approach to decision making. She turns to friends and family for support and it is the uniquness of these relationships which gives the film its substance.

Her best friend in the world, Nellie (Gaby Hoffman) exclaims; "You're dizzy because you played russian roulette with your vagina," when commenting on Donna's bout of morning sickness. In the same scene Donna responds with "I remember seeing a condom; I just don't know exactly what it did". Then there is the warm scene between Donna and her dad Jacob (Richard Kind) where he uses the puppet he is painting to cheer her up. All the while Max (Jake Lacy), her one night standee,  is attracted to Donna and we feel for him as Donna contemplates telling him.

Then finally, in the brilliantly handled sedation before abortion scene we focus on Donna coming to terms with the decision she's made and because of the clever work of director/writer Gillian Robespierre we are now part of her circle. We know she'll be fine but more importantly it was nice to be there to help her through it. 9GUMS