“Shiva Baby” (2021): One Wacky Wake

If you are Jewish you will recognize most, if not every single one, of the descendant dynamics and family falderol underfoot in the brilliant new dramedy “Shiva Baby”. Even if you're not of the faith, a huge hunk of what is dished out here is ripe to resonate on several levels.

And that’s when the Shiva really hits the fan.

Hounded by her neurotic mom and dad (Polly Draper and Fred Melamed paired in pestering parent perfection), a former lover (Molly Gordon) and a gold digger husband and father with whom she’s having a tawdry tryst (Danny Deferrari), we watch as Danielle gamely struggles to summon beleaguered balance amidst claustrophobic chaos.

Along Danielle's wayward way, we find ourselves cringing, co-experiencing, even crying. But mostly laughing.

You can’t help but wonder if what we are witnessing in “Shiva Baby” is at least somewhat semi-autobiographical. As the prime protagonist here, Sennott even bears striking physical resemblance to Seligman.

I have no idea if the record reflects this promising filmmaker’s own life or not.

One may merely muse, baby.

You'll also want to check out my latest YouTube Channel interview with Filmmaker and former Rapper GU GU E. MICHAELS, Director of the new based-on-actual-events movie, "INCUBATED", on: 

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