Making Babies

Making Babies is a compelling comedic drama that was first released in 2018. It was written and directed by Josh F. Huber, showing the daily-life truth behind the joy and pain that accompanies the journey to parenthood. The movie casts sitcom favorites Eliza Coupe, known for her work on Happy Endings, and Steve Howey, famously recognized from Shameless. These two vibrant actors bring life to the main characters, Katie and John Kelly, a couple who find themselves navigating the challenges of creating a family. The veteran actor, Ed Begley Jr., also graces the movie by offering a standout role as Dr. Remis, the flamboyant fertility specialist.

The plot of Making Babies revolves around the idyllic life of a married couple, Katie and John Kelly, as they purposefully embark on their journey to start their family. Together, they tackle the twists and turbulence of deciding to have a baby and the subsequent topic of infertility. They live in an era where things such as technology, sexual freedom, and women's rights have a significant social impact, and they affect the couple's perspective massively.

When faced with the daunting insight that creating the family they dream of might not be as straightforward as they initially thought, the narrative takes on a new dimension. They're met with a reality check when they realize conception might not always come naturally, and thus they embark on what can only be described as an emotional rollercoaster ride of modern fertility treatments.

Eliza Coupe and Steve Howey successfully manage to portray a couple who are prepared to tackle anything and everything that comes their way as they journey towards their dream. The two characters engage in different methods, from ovulation induction to in-vitro fertilization with ardent determination and a dash of hilarity. This dynamic duo shows audiences that the tribulations of the process on a couple's emotional and physical relationship are much more grueling than trying to keep up with the litany of medical terminologies.

One standout attribute in Making Babies is its portrayal of the emotional toll that infertility can have on individuals and a couple's relationship. The movie delves into their intimate lives and provides a raw, accurate depiction of their struggles with intimacy, the strain on their relationship, and their desperation to have a child. Despite the hardships they face, the film succeeds in maintaining its humorous undertones to keep the audience entertained and engaged.

Ed Begley Jr.'s portrayal of Dr. Remis is one to remember. His character is eccentric and unconventional, providing the movie with many joyful moments to balance out the serious underlying themes. His performance serves as a perfect reminder: no matter how grim or serious the situation, there's always room for lightness and laughter.

Making Babies showcases the advances in reproductive technology with utter acuity and its impact on society, how these solutions can raise hopes, bring joy, and yet sometimes even more frustration and disappointment.

On a technical note, the cinematography of the film mirrors the narrative's many moods—subdued and overpowering tones during the couple's challenging times are intertwined with vibrant and saturated shades during joyful moments, creating a well-balanced visual journey. The dialogue is crisp and direct, tackling the serious subjects of infertility and the medical industry's commodification of hope with carefully crafted humor.

Making Babies is not only a comedic tale but also a significant cultural commentary. It explores the societal pressures for women to have children and how these expectations impact the freedom and choice of modern women.

To wrap up, Making Babies is a heartwarming, funny, yet emotional film about a contemporary couple's ups and downs during their quest to start a family. It provides a balanced view of a subject that is often misunderstood and stigmatized. The standout performances, along with a well-structured storyline, made it an engaging watch and a significant narrative on the struggles with modern fertility.