Movie comedies took more risks than usual in 2014, beginning with Obvious Child (A24), Gillian Robespierre's unflinching abortion rom-com. Yes, you read that right. Bookstore clerk/unapologetic stand-up comic Donna (Jenny Slate, who has earned a Spirit Award nomination for her performance) hits a rough patch. Her douchey boyfriend dumps her. The bookstore where she works is closing. Worse still, her break-up material isn't going over with the audience at the club.
However, Donna has a great support system, including best friend Nellie (Gaby Hoffman of Transparent), fellow comic and gay BFF Joey (gay comic gay Gabe Liedman), and her divorced parents, writer Jacob (Richard Kind) and college professor Nancy (Polly Draper). As it turns out, she's going to need a lot of support.
One night Donna meets Max (the sexy Jake Lacy) at the comedy club where she performs. The improbable pair -- according to Donna, Max is so Christian he's a Christmas tree and he personally knows Santa, whereas she is the menorah on the Christmas tree that burns it down -- follows some humorous flirtation (and public urination) with drinks, dancing in their underwear, and oops, unprotected sex. A few weeks later, when Donna's "boobs hurt really bad," she discovers she's pregnant and schedules an abortion on – wait for it – Valentine's Day.
But here is where Obvious Child becomes anything but obvious. There are delightful surprises throughout (wait until you find out who is one of Nancy's students!) and Slate gives a performance that is both witty and weary (not an easy combo). DVD/Digital special features include extended scenes, a featurette, the 2009 Obvious Child short and audio commentary.