Review of Obvious Child (2014) by Cheryl F — 29 Jun 2014

Once again, I have to disagree with the critics on this one. I found this movie to not be very funny at all for a variety of reasons. First of all, let me say I am pro choice, so that is not the problem.

Even though I believe in a woman's right to choose, I found the shallow attitudes of the characters in this film to be disappointing. All 3 of the main female characters had had abortions and treated the subject as if they were talking about having a wart removed.

Adoption as an option was never considered, let alone mentioned. The Planned Parenthood worker was portrayed as cardboard and flip in attitude. My friend and I wished we had started keeping a tally of how many times Slate mentioned her vagina, farting, or pooping.

It seemed like this film didn't trust itself enough to give us depth, so it substituted scatological crap (plz pardon the pun). I wish this film could have been more. As far as I'm concerned a realistic comedy/drama on the subject of the real life choices a middle class woman faces when she is unexpectantly expectant has not yet been made.

I think it is possible for a light-hearted movie to honestly soul search the choices and still come out prochoice. This movie comes out pro-Slate, not pro-choice.