An Analysis of Amy Schumer’s ‘Kinda Pregnant’: Comedy Gone Awry?

Comedy is a fine balance between laughter-inducing situations and relatable characters. Screwball comedy, in particular, requires a blend of the absurdity that makes us laugh and the humanity that keeps us invested. However, ‘Kinda Pregnant,’ starring Amy Schumer, struggles to maintain this balance, falling short in both humor and emotional depth.

The Challenges with ‘Kinda Pregnant’

One of the central problems in ‘Kinda Pregnant’ is its main character, Lainy. Played by Amy Schumer, Lainy is portrayed as an obnoxiously narcissistic individual. This character trait makes it difficult for viewers to root for her. Attempts to humanize her through revealing her vulnerabilities only bring about criptic tonal shifts, turning emotional moments into heart-tugging scenes that feel forced and unnecessary.

Schumer co-wrote the script with Julie Paiva, focusing heavily on crude humor, encompassing not-so-subtle jokes about body functions. While these scenes may surprise some, they are blunt in their approach. The intention seems more to shock viewers than to elicit genuine laughter.

A Look at Successful Pregnancy Comedies

Contrary to ‘Kinda Pregnant’, movies like ‘Babes’ and ‘Trainwreck’ handle such topics with grace and humor. ‘Babes’, with Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau, provides a more authentic portrayal of women’s conversations about pregnancy. ‘Trainwreck’, while also featuring Schumer, struck a fine balance between inappropriate humor and genuine sentimentality. Notably, veteran director Judd Apatow, known for his sensibilities, directed ‘Trainwreck’, keenly managing the film’s tone.

The Character and Her Journey

Lainy’s character arc begins with a flashback showing her vowing childhood dreams of motherhood with her best friend, Kate. Fast forward to adulthood, Lainy is a middle school teacher living with her long-term boyfriend, still pining for motherhood after seeing Kate become pregnant. Lainy’s desperation manifests itself in a chaotic overreaction during her boyfriend’s proposal attempt, smearing chocolate cake and ripping her dress in front of dinner guests. This over-the-top scene exemplifies the film’s reliance on volume rather than humor.

Lainy’s character spins towards a new idea when she dons a foam baby bump while shopping for Kate’s maternity wardrobe. The positive response encourages her to take her ruse public by attending prenatal yoga and meeting Megan, a new friend who seems genuinely pregnant. Brianne Howey delivers the film’s standout performance, capturing authenticity and warmth, unlike any other character in ‘Kinda Pregnant.’

A new romance with Josh (Will Forte), a cute and unaware potential romantic interest, further complicates Lainy’s already chaotic life. Her scheme is no longer confined to personal life, now involving her workplace friends and a فوق pregnant Megan, who now has Josh’s brother staying at her place due to a breakup.

Execution and Character Flaws

However, the bulk of the supporting cast consists of caricatures, delivering little more than one-dimensional quips. The shift in tones is dizzying, swinging from wide comedy to romantic undertones and back again. Every situation, from shopping for toys to witnessing a school field trip, are set up for wild comedy but rarely land.

The 1945 classic ‘Christmas in Connecticut’ serves as an instructive counterpoint to ‘Kinda Pregnant’. Barbara Stanwyck plays a food columnist who fabricates an idealized life to impress a war hero. Stanwyck’s charm and impeccable timing keep the audience engaged, invested in the ridiculous tale and its fulfillment.

Towards Improvement

What ‘Kinda Pregnant’ misses is rich character development and a steady, expertly paced narrative. While crafting a memorable lie, the movie fails to create a relatable, investable character. Audiences deserve more in female-centric storytelling, one that balances the absurdity of a plot with the human heart beneath the surface.

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In conclusion, ‘Kinda Pregnant’ falters to deliver neither the acting depth nor the comedy quality expected of a screwball pregnancy comedy. The film struggles to connect with its audiences due to its reliance on shock humor and failure to build a compelling, likable leading character. Despite its ambitious premise, ‘Kinda Pregnant’ misses the mark, leaving audiences whimsically disappointed.

What do you think about the film? Did Amy Schumer’s comedic timing fall short, or do you find value in its crude humor? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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