Slate is an underrated comedic talent in a romcom on Netflix for a while.
Obvious Child
Grade: B
Director: Gillian Robespierre (Landline)
Screenplay: Robespierre
Cast: Jenny Slate (Zootopia), Jake Lacy (Carol)
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 24m
By: John DeSando
The romcom Obvious Child has been hanging around Netflix for a few years, and rightfully so, for it tackles with comedic insight another enduring cultural staple, “the one-night rebound stand after the breakup.” It will take only 84 min to see how writer-director Gillian Robespierre can make this serious subject and its constant companion, abortion (Will she or won’t she?), comedic and socially acceptable to discuss on a casual date.
Of course, the other reason Obvious Child is a success is its lead, Jenny Slate, playing stand-up comedian Donna Stern. Slate is natural, self-effacing and cute, not quite smashing but attractive enough to make our experience pleasant and sympathetic without being awestruck by abnormal beauty and charisma.
Besides giving varying degrees of standup, from bright contemporary topics to her abortion, funny to bomb, Slate has a sweet charm that makes you want to be a part of her life while she also makes you chuckle. Not hilarious, just smile inducing as we get used to her candor with her anecdotes that make us sometimes uncomfortable but always empathetic.
The boyfriend who dumped her, Ryan (Paul Briganti), is scruffy and unfaithful while one-night-stand Max (Jack Lacy) is all-American and much nicer than he has to be, probably one of the best rebounds in romcom history. Obvious Child is an interesting, oddball comedy; you could do worse than watch this on a pandemic night; it will take your mind off our viral reality.
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JohnDeSando62@gmail.com.
