Obvious Child

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Cast

Jenny Slate
as Donna Stern

Gaby Hoffmann
as Nellie

David Cross
as Sam

Jake Lacy
as Max

Gabe Liedman
as Joey

Richard Kind
as Jacob Stern

Polly Draper
as Nancy Stern

Paul Briganti
as Ryan

Cindy Cheung
as Dr. Bernard

Stephen Singer
as Gene

Rene Alexandre
as Bar Patron

Suzanne Lenz
as Female #2

Crystal Lonneberg
as Bartender

Cyrus McQueen
as Comedian

Ernest Mingione
as Waiter

Amy Novondo
as Bar Patron

Emily Tremaine
as Lacey

Julie Zimmer
as Woman in Bar

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Critic Reviews for Obvious Child

Audience Reviews for Obvious Child

• Jun 21, 2015

  Sheer brilliance - very funny, moving and life affirming. Jenny Slate is revelatory.
  Daniel P Super Reviewer
• Dec 12, 2014

  It might hit familiar romcom beats, but there's a relaxed casualness to the film that ensures it never feels too conventional (the completely non-alarmist way abortion is addressed is refreshing). Slate is a revelation here.
  

  Alec B Super Reviewer
• Oct 08, 2014

  This film deals with the very problematic issue of abortion, in an assured and humorous way. All women have held fears about having to get an abortion sometime in their lives, whether due to scares or their own inner terror. There are so many questions to ask yourself when dealing with this tragically sensitive question, and director/writer Gillian Robespierre takes it to task. Jenny Slate gives a powerful performance as Donna, a stand-up comedian and out of work book store clerk whose life is falling apart. Recently dumped and made depressed, Donna has a one night stand and gets pregnant. Of course she freaks out, and has to rely on her support system for guidance during this trying time. Women are definitely scared of this process, but of course more frightened of the prospect of their loved ones looking down on them or feeling hatred from others. Robespierre gives women the tools to feel empowered but also sympathized with, by depicting the process realistically. The comedy in this film is also very edgy, and it cuts the tension at pivotal moments. The only underlying problem I found with the film was the romantic relationship between the two leads, which I could have done without. It was messy terrain to get through, because relationships do spring even after incidents like these, and men usually support women's decisions like this, but it just didn't hold my interest.
  Spencer S Super Reviewer
• Aug 05, 2014

  A comedienne gets pregnant from a one-night stand and resolves to get an abortion, but when she encounters the father of her unborn child, she is torn about whether to confront him. There's a lot to like about this film. Jenny Slate gives a remarkably charming and funny performance, and the plot unfolds organically. What is more, it's one of the first pro-choice films I've ever seen. In almost all films, abortion is considered bad, weak, or otherwise undesirable. But Obvious Child treats abortion as a choice and a viable solution to a difficult, life-changing event. Also, the film's milieu is hipster chic. But unlike HBO's Girls, which from what I've seen is nothing more than a trite, deliberately shocking soap opera for hipsters by hipsters, Obvious Child doesn't require knowledge of, acceptance in, or agreement with hipster culture in order to enjoy the film. It's hipster without be too asshole about it. Overall, hipsters love mirrors, and here's a very flattering hipster mirror.
  Jim H Super Reviewer

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