By Catherine Erskine
Directed by Pamela Adlon and written by Ilana Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz, Babes is a no holds barred look at friendship, pregnancy and what keeps people together when their lives are on two very different paths.
Eden (Ilana Glazer) plays the single and impulsive best friend to Dawn (Michelle Buteau). Dawn is married to Marty (Hasan Minhaj) and has just given birth to her second child when Eden discovers SHE is pregnant. After meeting a wonderful man on the way home from the hospital (where she had just tried to drop off 400 dollars worth of sushi, because her best friend wanted sushi!), Eden also shares that she is going to keep the baby and begs Dawn to see her through every step. But, after giving birth, dealing with postpartum and family struggles, that seems like something she is sure to fail at.
When I saw this movie, I thought, ‘That was alright’. I could not connect with the pregnancy part personally but, as the single friend to multiple women in my life with children, I could connect with how friendships change and sometimes fall off due to the drastic changes that kids bring. Even when you love them to death, that bestie can’t be there the way she always was. She is a mom.
So, after some time to think about this I realized, ‘Sure, I have never had a baby. But I have watched a lot of friends go through the beauty and the… hell that pregnancy can be, but no one talks about! This movie is the first one I have seen that REALLY talks about it all. It was really refreshing to see all the ups and downs that come with it: hemorrhoids, postpartum, milk production problems and all. Honestly, this movie is a refreshing change from what is shoved down women’s throats from a young age about how pregnancy is a blessing, beautiful and everything that women should want. Sure, sometimes it is. But sometimes it is gross and messy! Like pooping on your baby in the delivery room, or the child you JUST got out of the baby phase regressing after a new sibling arrives.
This movie may not have you rolling laughing. It is funny, don’t get me wrong. But, if you are looking for the next Bridesmaids, I don’t think this is it. However, if you are looking for a movie to see with your friend who is like a sister (when you can get time away from the kids) and want to watch an honest movie about friendship, love and the rollercoaster of pregnancy/childbirth, this movie is for you. Grab your bestie, grab your popcorn and watch something that might open up an honest talk with those closest to you about how you are really feeling.
Babes is in theatres on Friday, May 24th, 2024.
