Obvious Child (2014) - Gillian Robespierre

Aspiring comedian Donna Stern has always been comfortable in her own skin, often relying on her life experiences to provide her with ample material.  Very unapologetic on stage, Donna begins to find her life spiraling out of control when her boyfriend dumps her, she loses her job, and she finds herself pregnant after an il-advised drunken hook-up with a complete stranger.  Navigating the challenges of adulthood, Donna begins to realize that with the support and love of her family and friends she is not alone, leading Donna to finally feel as comfortable with her personal life as she is with her comedy.  Featuring a star-making performance by Jenny Slate, Gillian Robespierre's Obvious Child is a very funny comedy that presents a genuinely honest portrait of  twenty-something uncertainly.  Full of poignant moments of honesty, this is a film that isn't timid about capturing the many fears and insecurities many individuals feel in the years between college and middle age.  Given the film's subject matter, Obvious Child deserves a lot of credit for its courage to never judge its characters, simply presenting a heartfelt portrait of personal growth.  A big reason why Obvious Child works so well is the relationship shared between Donna and Max.  Donna and Max couldn't be any more different, with Donna being the blunt and outspoken type, while Max is polite and introverted.  They are so different, yet the film shows how they have chemistry, never judging each of them on a superficial level.  With Obvious Child, Jenny Slate gives an off-beat but sensitive performance, proving once again that she is a talent that should have a long career in Hollywood.

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