Babes
Directed by Pamela Adlon
★★★½
Michelle Buteau and Ilana Glazer on the set of BABES Photo Credit to Gwen
Capistran, Photo Courtesy of NEON
Babes is a fresh and funny take on the chaos, confusion, and camaraderie that accompanies pregnancy, all wrapped in a package of sharp humor and heartfelt moments. The film, which marks the feature directorial debut of lauded actor and writer Pamela Adlon, follows Eden, played by Michelle Buteau, who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand. As she navigates the ups and downs of gestation, she leans heavily on her best friend, Dawn, portrayed by co-writer Ilana Glaser, a seasoned mother of two. The result is a film that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly touching, driven by the undeniable chemistry between its two leads.
Pamela Adlon, known for her nuanced storytelling and deeply human characters in shows like Better Things, brings her sharp eye for detail and character dynamics to Babes. Her directorial touch is evident in the film’s balance of humor and heart, as well as in the authentic, lived-in feel of the characters’ relationships. Adlon’s experience as a writer and actor shines through, particularly in the way she guides her cast to deliver performances that are both comedic and emotionally resonant.
Michelle Buteau and Ilana Glaser are the heart and soul of Babes, delivering stellar comedic performances that keep the film buoyant even when it occasionally dips into absurdity. Glaser shines as Eden, bringing a blend of vulnerability and wit to the role. Her portrayal of a woman grappling with an unexpected pregnancy is both relatable and endearing, as she vacillates between excitement, fear, and the sheer bewilderment of impending motherhood. Buteau, on the other hand, brings her trademark deadpan humor to Dawn, balancing out Glaser’s energy with a more grounded, yet equally funny, performance. Together, they create a dynamic duo that carries the film through its many highs and lows.
The film is packed with genuine belly laughs and a healthy dose of gross-out humor, much of which is rooted in the more outlandish aspects of pregnancy. From bizarre cravings to unexpected physical changes, Babes doesn’t shy away from the messy realities of growing a human being. For those who have experienced pregnancy, or have been close to someone who has, these moments will likely hit close to home. The film’s willingness to embrace the weird and uncomfortable aspects of pregnancy is one of its strengths, and it gives Babes an authenticity that resonates even amid its more exaggerated comedic elements.
However, where Babes falters is in its somewhat tenuous grasp on reality, particularly when it comes to the economic landscape of New York City. The film presents a version of NYC where money issues seem nonexistent, a choice that, while making the narrative more lighthearted, also stretches the suspension of disbelief to its limits. For a story set in one of the most expensive cities in the world, the lack of financial stress for the characters feels like a missed opportunity to add another layer of realism to the story. This disregard for reality, coupled with the film’s reliance on the audience to overlook certain plot conveniences, prevents Babes from being as memorable or impactful as it could have been.
Despite these shortcomings, Babes remains a highly entertaining watch, particularly because of the authentic portrayal of friendship at its core. The bond between Eden and Dawn feels lived-in and real, capturing the essence of a deep, enduring female friendship that can withstand even the most chaotic life changes. Their interactions are the emotional anchor of the film, grounding the humor in genuine affection and mutual support. For all its zaniness, the film never loses sight of the importance of friendship, and it’s this aspect that gives the film its heart.
As a recent dad who’s witnessed firsthand the strange and fascinating physical oddities that come with pregnancy, I found Babes to be both relatable and hilarious in its depiction of the experience. The film may not be perfect, but it succeeds in portraying the unique blend of joy, fear, and absurdity that accompanies impending parenthood. It’s a film that, at its best, offers a funny and heartfelt look at one of life’s most transformative experiences, making it a worthwhile watch for anyone who’s been through it, or is about to.
Babes is a film that delivers plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments, buoyed by strong performances from Michelle Buteau and Ilana Glaser, and guided by Pamela Adlon’s deft directorial hand. While its loose grasp on reality may detract from its overall impact, the film’s portrayal of friendship and the more bizarre aspects of pregnancy ring true, making it a relatable and entertaining journey into the madness of impending motherhood.
