Jackie (Jess Weixler, Teeth, The Death of Dick Long) and Elliot (Joshua Leonard, The Blair Witch Project, Unsane) are a month away from their first baby’s due date. They are taking the classes, reading the books, and doing all the things they’re supposed to be doing. At their baby shower, however, their friends scare the shit out of them, emphasizing the pain and horror of child birth, the complete destruction of new parents’ social lives, and insistingthat we all eventually become our own parents. With the added stress of Jackie’s opioid-addicted father asking for money (again), the couple decides they need to go on a quest to rid themselves of their parental hangups.
So their first stop is the local sex toy shop to purchase a strap on dildo, naturally.
This all sounds like fairly standard indie rom-com fare–how many times have films visited this new parents period–but there’s something here that makes the film stand out among others like it. Namely that is the chemistry between Leonard and Weixler, real life best friends who also co-wrote the film together with Leonard taking on the directorial duties. It’s clear from the first few scenes that these two have a history together, which makes both the comedic and dramatic moments work that much better. A hormonal fight about hummus feels at once heartbreakingly real and also genuinely funny, for example. The pair of actor-writers clearly improvise a lot, and more often than not that playfulness pays off.
The other thing that makes Fully Realized Humans a little unique is the authentic emotional beats that the film relies on to keep the plot moving. This is not Seth Rogan deciding to give up weed and read baby books in Knocked Up. Rather, both Elliot and Jackie go on a short but profound journey to confront their neuroses, a challenge that doesn’t have easy answers.
Their first step is to try pegging, which Jackie is anxious to try to give herself more sense of control and power in the relationship. This works wonders for her, but leaves Elliot struggling with reminders of his father’s homophobia and threats of violence. He decides that the best way to confront his own anger issues would be to have his friend, a boxing instructor, punch him in the face. These perhaps questionable decisions lead them to lose their doula and go through somewhat bipolar ups and downs of confidence and trust. When the pair gathers their parents to have an open discussion of the issues at hand, they learn that they aren’t so different from those who raised them. (Also look out for yet another scene stealing role from great character actress Beth Grant as Elliot’s mother!)
Each of these moments are very funny, but also deal with deep-seated issues in a surprisingly effective way. That’s not to say that the film necessarily provides an answer to drug addiction or domestic violence, but certainly doesn’t make light of these problems in its humorous search for enlightenment. I wish there had been a little more in the series of experiments before it devolves into montage territory, but at a slim 74 minutes the film doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of chaff.
Fully Realized Humans takes a well-tread concept but gives it a bit of a punk-rock makeover, made more fun and interesting by the performances of the two leads. While it doesn’t really break any new ground, it does provide a perspective on this tumultuous time in many people’s lives that feels real in both its silliness and seriousness. If you’re looking for a charming comedy to enjoy during the seemingly endless nights spent at home this year, this one comes recommended.
Fully Realized Humans is directed by Joshua Leonard and co-written by and stars Leonard and Jess Weixler. It is currently making its way through the (virtual) film festival circuit. Watch it now through the Atlanta Film Festival’s virtual catalog.