The upcoming film, Babes, is a 2024 comedy that uniquely captures the struggles of contemporary womanhood through the lens of friendship, pregnancy, and adulthood. It is directed by Pamela Adlon marking her directorial debut for feature films after working on the Better Things series. Babes, which starred Ilana Glazer alongside Michelle Buteau, comes with the promise of an exhilarating blend of humor and poignancy, thanks to a script co-written by Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz.
Plot Summary
Set up in New York City, Babes tells the story of Eden (Ilana Glazer), a yoga instructor with a lovely spirit and free-spirited lifestyle living in Astoria, Queens. Her best friend on the other hand is Dawn (Michelle Buteau), a mother of two who lives in Upperwest side of the city and has to manage her full time job as well. While they were once very close friends, their circumstances in life drastically changes, which is what the story revolves around.
We see the first scene of the film when Eden and Dawn visit a hospital and it is thanksgiving day. Eden is supporting her friend, and is awe struck with the in every sense brutal realities of delivering a child. When everything seems to calm down, she meets a very charming stranger named Claude (Stephan James) on a subway. Their interaction leads to an one night stand which ultimately leaves Eden pregnant.
In contrast with many films that would attempt to infuse romance, or might dramatize a single woman pregnancy, the filmmakers of Babes choose the comedic relief. Lives evolve in unexpected, at times difficult ways. She decides to keep the baby even with the odds set against her as a single parent. With the struggles of everything in the background, Dawn is set with new mother problems that she also has to juggle with the need to return back to work, multiply the stress of a surgically altered home devoid of plumbing.
Ingrained with comedy, the film captures raw friendships built under new bonds. The claim in questions formulates the essence of “new” mother friendship.” The metamorphosis covers in every sense the stresses that become part of the reality from conflicting priorities. Uncontrollable shifts in outcomes that they need to redefine support become.
Characters and Performances
Ilana Glazer as Eden: Glazer effortlessly blends wit and vulnerability into Eden, making her persona approachable and inspiring in the way she tackles life’s ridiculousness with a laugh. She captures the spirit of a woman hastily embracing single motherhood charmingly and authentically.
Michelle Buteau as Dawn: Buteau shines as a comedian in this role, exasperated yet tender towards Dawn. This character is a quintessential caricature succumbing to the all too familiar phenomenon of modern day motherhood.
Stephan James as Claude: Claude is more than just a device to move the plot forward; he is a developed character who provides unexpected depth by forcing Eden to rethink her narratives.
Hasan Minhaj as Marty: In some ways, Dawn’s husband is the leading provider of comic relief. His character, overwhelmed and underprepared, faces challenges uniquely modern to men, adding comedic tension and entrapping fatherhood within a new light.
Oliver Platt, Sandra Bernhard and John Carroll Lynch round out the ensemble providing a mix of medical professionals and family acquaintances, contributing humor and insight along the way.
Direction and Writing
Pamela Adlon’s grounded approach to direction is authentic. Pregnancy and parenting, whether it’s through a chaotic birthing scene or a hormone-fueled emotional breakdown, is never pretty, and she makes sure viewers can appreciate the raw unglamorized version. Adlon’s background in character-driven storytelling supports the balancing act during riotous laughter as well as quiet, more introspective scenes during Babes.
Glazer and Rabinowitz’s screenplay is bold and unapologetically witty, exploring the often sanitized corners of mainstream comedy territory. Their dialogue captures the ebbs and flows of female friendship: exaggeratedly supportive, fiercely candid, and forever changing.
Themes and Analysis
Babes dives into different storylines contemporaneous with most audiences ranging from:
Female Friendship: The film personifies platonic affection as a focal point. Eden and Dawn’s camaraderie endures growing pains, but their history and respect for each other allows them to weather the storm.
Relatability During Pregnancy and Parenthood: The film contains a rare mix of humor and honesty when depicting memories of sleepless nights, stretch marks, and parenting’s unexpected joys.
Identity and Change: Both women are dealing with changes in their identity. Eden has to let go of her carefree living, while Dawn needs to come to terms with the fact that she is much more than just a mother.
The Complexity of Support: Babes investigates how assisting someone doesn’t always occur in anticipated forms. Support could look like coming at three in the morning or giving left alone when it is needed the most.
Critical Reception
On release, Babes received acclaim for its genuine structuring, comedic beats, and refreshing approach to topics often neglected in cinema. Glazer and Buteau’s chemistry was noted by critics, remarking that the pair’s dynamic was the soul of the film.
Adlon’s direction was commendable for her blend of situational comedy and emotionally driven narratives. The film stood out among 2024’s female-led comedies and was appreciated for portraying actual women facing realistic issues without resorting to clichés or melodrama.
Some reviews argued that the film’s narrative at times relied too much on set pieces containing jokes, but most agreed that the film’s lack of insincerity and emotional payoff more than compensated for this argument.
Conclusion
The film gels well with the concept of comedy, but at the heart of its narrative aligns a celebration of choice and growing up (even if one is well into adulthood). With endearing performances, sharp writing, and thoughtful direction, the film ‘Babes’ splendidly captures the feeling of evolving with your friends.
Whether you are trying to navigate new parenthood, dealing with sudden changes in life, or simply trying to maintain friendships in this fast-paced world, Babes serves a healthy dose of laughs, warmth, and a reminder that no matter how chaotic life gets, the people who stand by us are the ones worth cherishing.
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