OBVIOUS CHILD
By: John ’Doc’ Strange
Directed by: Gillian Robespierre
Cast: Jenny Slate, Gabby Hoffman, Jake Lacy, Gabe Liedman, and David Cross
MPAA Rating: R (for language and sexual content)
Selig Rating: MATINEE
Runtime: 85 Min.
Obvious Child is the story of a female comedian, Donna Stern (Jenny Slate), whose life is shambles which is reflected in her on-stage act. She uses the problems in her life as fuel for her stand-up act. Losing her job, getting pregnant and dumped in time for Valentine’s are just a taste of the problems she is dealing with.
The brainchild of writer/director Gillian Robespierre, Obvious child was originally made as a short film which received excellent reviews in 2009. Based on the success of the short they worked hard to raise funds and write a full feature script.
Five years later we have a full-bodied film which explores the life of a young woman dealing with hardships with the aid of her small circle of friends. Donna is fortunate to have these friends, especially her roommate, Nellie (Gabby Hoffman). She is her rock in the storm that is her life.
This film is not polite; it is not a quiet Friday date movie. It is a thought-provoking look at a woman who is more than just series of jokes or sad stories. This film is aimed at women but men will enjoy the story, too.
Movie Site: https://www.facebook.com/ObviousChild
The Selig Rating Scale:
FULL PRICE – Excellent movie, well worth the price
MATINEE – Good movie
DOLLAR – OK movie
CABLE – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
FREEBIE – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
COMMERCIAL TV – Commercials and cutting to the allotted time will not hurt this one.
FORGET IT! – Bad. If you see this one, do yourself a favor and keep it to yourself.
GET YOUR TORCHES – BAD! – Burn the script, the writer, the director and maybe even the actors!
