Obvious Child

Gillian Robespierre's debut feature might take its name from the Paul Simon song but this comedic calling card announces her as an original spirit. The superb Jenny Slate plays an ethical-bookstore employee and blowsy amateur stand-up whose extraordinary run of bad luck sees her dumped and ousted from her job in quick succession, before getting pregnant from a one night stand. Writer/director Robespierre's passionately pro-choice film handles its weighty issues deftly, managing to be breezy and hilarious without sacrificing intelligence or empathy. Romantic comedy clichés are eschewed so that a largely bungled romance (with the nevertheless charming Jake Lacy) plays second fiddle to a robust, heartening friendship (with the marvellous Gaby Hoffmann), while the sharp script strikes an entertaining balance between wise polemic, candid confession and toilet humour. How wonderful that a film that is so unapologetically frank should simultaneously feel so warm and delightful.