Obvious Child (2014)

Obvious Child is a 2014 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Gillian Robespierre in her directorial debut. The film stars Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann and David Cross. The story follows Donna (Slate), a stand-up comedian, who has a drunken one-night stand with a man named Max (Lacy) after breaking up with her boyfriend. She subsequently finds out she is pregnant and decides to have an abortion.

Obvious Child originated as a 2009 short film which was written by Robespierre, Anna Bean and Karen Maine, and also starred Slate in the main role. By making the film, Robespierre hoped to remove the stigma surrounding abortion and to correct what she perceived as a misrepresentation of unplanned pregnancy in earlier films. She finished the feature-length script in 2012. The film was financed through various production companies and filmmaking grants and it was shot in New York in 2013.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2014, and was released in theaters on June 6, 2014. It grossed US$3.3 million and was well received by critics. David Edelstein, Mick LaSalle and Dana Stevens praised the film's portrayal of abortion, while A. O. Scott and Ty Burr highlighted its realism and humor. The film won numerous accolades, including two awards from the National Board of Review and two Independent Spirit Award nominations.

Synopsis

After performing a set at her regular comedy club, Donna Stern (Jenny Slate) is dumped in the bathroom by her boyfriend, Ryan (Paul Briganti), who confesses he is leaving her for one of her friends. Donna tailspins into a wave of depression and later drunkenly delivers a terrible set in which she insults her ex-boyfriend. Later that night, at the bar, she meets Max (Jake Lacy), who is there with clients but who missed her set. Donna and Max have an instant connection and they end up having sex. In the morning Donna leaves Max's apartment without saying goodbye.

Actors