Follows inseparable childhood best friends Eden (Ilana Glazer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau), having grown up together in NYC, now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree and single Eden decides to have a baby on her own after a one-night stand, their friendship faces its greatest challenge. BABES delves into the complexities of female friendship with a blend of laughter, tears, and labor pains.
Chuck says:
The friendship between two BFFs is put to the test in Pamela Adlon’s “Babes,” a genuinely funny, unapologetic look at pregnancy and motherhood. Driven by the chemistry between its stars Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau, this is not a film for those with delicate sensibilities. To be sure, its poignant moments work but it’s the film’s unapologetic approach to the changes a woman’s body goes through while pregnant and the extremes of childbirth that the film delivers the standout, ribald moments it will be remembered for.
Eden and Dawn (Glazer and Buteau) have been friends nearly all their lives, yet their journeys are about to drastically diverge. Having just given birth to her second child, the latter is overwhelmed by responsibilities not just at home but at work as well. Meanwhile, Eden is still firmly ensconced in her single life, not a care in the world. However, things change radically when, after a one-night stand, she winds up pregnant.
Eden is obviously not ready for this, which fuels a great deal of the film’s humor, her cluelessness regarding her body providing one comic revelation after another. The openness with which she and Dawn discuss their changing physiology is refreshing as well as hilarious, the terms they use far from appropriate for a family friendly publication. Equally effective is Buteau’s long, agonized march – and ultimately, crawl- to the hospital and through its lobby on her way to giving birth. Credit John Carroll Lynch as their shared obstetrician, getting laughs with his ever-changing, never successful attempts to deal with his baldness.
Aldon and her two leads effectively skirt the line of tastelessness, never taking an in-your-face approach while making the viewer keenly aware of the unjust physical and hormonal changes women go through. Equally impressive is her handling of the movies differing tones, as moments of sheer hilarity trip on the heels of introspective scenes that find the characters reflecting on their lives, choices, and futures. All are rendered with an enthusiasm and passion that proves endearing.
The intelligence of the script by Josh Rabinowitz and Glazer, elevates this above other dramedies, the pithy dialogue driving home the film’s themes wryly and with sincerity. Equally effective is its portrait of friendship, Eden and Dawn displaying the sort of kindness, understanding and forgiveness we all would only be so lucky to find. And while “Babe’s” ending may be a bit too neat for some to swallow, it’s built up so much good will by this point, it can be forgiven this flight of fancy.
3 Stars
