In "Kinda Pregnant", Amy Schumer delivers a comedic performance that entertains while revealing emotional depths. She plays Lainy Newton, a high-school English teacher who feigns pregnancy to cope with her feelings of envy and exclusion after her best friend and colleague, Kate (Jillian Bell), becomes pregnant. Struggling with her own romantic disappointment and self-loathing, Lainy experiences unexpected societal perks and attention by wearing a prosthetic bump - to the point of using impromptu alternatives such as balloons and roasted chicken.
Threading a fine balance between broad comedy and emotional resonance, "Kinda Pregnant" takes the high-concept comedy of old and adds relatable pathos.
Lainy's deceit is not the result of a contrived farcical plot point; it springs from her desire for the attention and care that society showers on expectant mothers. It becomes her temporary antidote against self-doubt, a balm for her deep-seated insecurities.
A decade ago, Amy Schumer, with her exceptional comedic timing and aptitude for portraying intricate characters, proved her mettle in "Trainwreck" - a film she penned. Comparatively, while "Kinda Pregnant" may not reach those levels, it provides Schumer a vehicle for her brazen comedic abilities.
Balancing the comedic plot is a romantic subplot featuring Josh (Will Forte), an affably normal man whose zen-like temperament provides an interesting contrast. The film primarily unfolds in Brooklyn, adding a distinct charm to the narrative.
Apart from Schumer's spectacular performance, the film's screenplay by Schumer and Julie Paiva shimmers with witty dialogues, offering genuine moments of hilarity. While the film does navigate through some familiar comedic tropes, it lends a unique voice to the genre by exploring female experiences that often get overlooked in mainstream cinema. It's Schumer's brutal honesty that gives "Kinda Pregnant" its comedic edge; she turns the narrative into a resonant exploration of identity, adding a layer of profundity to the laughter.
