Pregnancy through the eyes of Jenny Slate, shocking bodily revelations and all
As a seasoned movie buff with a soft spot for quirky and poignant storytelling, I find Jenny Slate‘s journey to be nothing short of captivating. Her unique blend of vulnerability, humor, and raw talent has always intrigued me, but her recent work in “Lifeform” and “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” have taken my admiration for her to a whole new level.
During this year’s New York premiere of “It Ends With Us,” reporter’s question about working with actor and director Justin Baldoni was fielded by actress Jenny Slate. Rather than fueling rumors that the cast, led by Blake Lively, had taken a stand against Baldoni, Slate subtly expressed her preference for not finding herself in similar situations, suggesting she’d rather avoid such experiences altogether.
However, as a writer, performer, and comedian, Jenny Slate has expanded her creative portfolio with the co-creation of the animated film “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” and voicing its title character, in addition to writing her stand-up specials like the latest one, “Seasoned Professional,” which debuted on Prime Video in February. Yet, surprisingly, Slate doesn’t view it that way herself.
As a critic putting pen to paper, I must confess that the notion of dictating the creative process doesn’t sit well with me. It’s challenging enough for me to guide my own daughter’s actions, let alone an entire film crew! Yet, paradoxically, there’s something alluring about being instructed myself – it’s as if a part of me yearns to be the obedient canine while another longs to run free like a wild animal.
Instead of providing further details about “It Ends With Us,” Slate chooses to concentrate on her recently published book of essays titled “Lifeform.” This work primarily revolves around the experience of carrying and giving birth to her daughter, who was born in 2021.
Indeed, it’s much more than just an individual pregnancy tale for me, as stated by Slate: “I can appreciate how you might think it’s only about one person’s experience of being pregnant, but it means so much more to me.
I’m expressing myself by saying “Lifeform” represents the shape or pattern of my life. This can refer to the ups and downs of living, or simply recognizing that I’m just one small organism in this vast universe. Lifeforms like the pesky raccoons causing trouble for Slate and her husband Ben Shattuck in their Massachusetts home, or Storm, the mysterious neighborhood husky whose image graces the sole piece of novelty clothing owned by Slate, are part of this Lifeform too.
In our conversation, it’s appropriate that she compares herself to a well-behaved dog, considering she also refers to her transforming body as an unusual “wild, pregnant mammal” in her poem “Lifeform.” She laments the hair loss clusters reminiscent of fur balls and mentions her awkward knees due to her growing baby. Additionally, she notices a dark patch on her upper lip that seems like a mustache from a distance, which are typical pregnancy symptoms often kept private until they’re personally encountered, with the common reaction being, “Why didn’t anyone warn me about this?” Interestingly, Slate acknowledges that she was aware of many pregnancy difficulties but didn’t anticipate experiencing them herself.
In an unexpected twist for me, I found myself confronted by an unfamiliar aspect of my existence. It seemed there was a version of myself I’d always considered ‘normal’, but it appears to be merely a constructed ideal. The ‘normal’ me, in my mind, was never meant to carry new life within. The ‘normal’ me was the adult form I’ve worn since my sixteenth year, and this revelation has opened up an entirely novel set of experiences that have left me utterly astounded.
In simpler terms, these health issues are being communicated more urgently through letters addressed to the doctor at Slate, whom she describes as a means to indicate “what requires attention.” Essentially, she’s saying that these messages help her understand how to prioritize self-care.
Motherhood has softened Slate’s self-perception, letting go of feelings of silliness, self-condemnation, and self-doubt. She admits, “I’ve often apologized unnecessarily and made concessions merely to fit in, but these behaviors no longer seem essential for the unique life I am living.
Her current work involves acting, and she’s really finding her groove. From playing a role in the 2023 Best Picture Oscar winner, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” to starring in “Dying for Sex” alongside Michelle Williams, and the upcoming “At the Sea” with Amy Adams, she’s keeping busy. Critics are raving about both actresses, with many eagerly awaiting the release of “Nightbitch,” a movie that shares similar themes with “Lifeform” concerning postpartum animalism.
According to what Slate states in the book, “Following these experiences, I feel I’ve grown incredibly focused and capable, to the point where I suspect I could excel more than ever if given the opportunity to perform my job as I truly want to.
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2024-10-22 13:31