Egg

"Egg" is a dark comedy drama directed by Marianna Palka, which was released in 2018. It tells the story of two former college friends, Tina (Alysia Reiner) and Karen (Christina Hendricks), who reunite after a long period of estrangement. The plot is centered around a tense evening in Karen's Brooklyn loft, where the two women, accompanied by their respective partners, confront each other about their lives and beliefs in a clash of ideologies and values.

Tina, a successful artist who recently became a mother, has come to ask Karen to be her surrogate, despite her own artistic life being trapped in a dead end. Karen, who is a successful author and married to a nice but unadventurous academic named Don (David Alan Basche), expresses her disbelief and disapproval of Tina's proposal, challenging her motives and criticizing her obsession with artificial insemination as a way to bypass the painful and natural process of pregnancy.

What follows is a heated debate between the four characters, where their resentment, insecurities, and secrets are exposed, leading to a series of revelations and confessions that challenge their friendship and highlight the complexity of their personal lives. Along the way, the film touches on various themes, such as motherhood, career, art, feminism, consumerism, and social class, as well as the clash between traditional and contemporary values.

The film features standout performances from the lead actors, especially Christina Hendricks, who portrays Karen with a mix of vulnerability, snark, and defiance, making her character both sympathetic and unlikable at times. Alysia Reiner, who co-wrote the film with David Alan Basche, delivers a nuanced portrayal of Tina, balancing her ambition and desperation with her love for her family. David Alan Basche impresses as Don, who tries to mediate the conflict while struggling with his own identity and sense of purpose. Gbenga Akinnagbe also shines in his supporting role as Wayne, a mysterious art collector who shares a connection with Tina.

The cinematography by Jason McCormick and the production design by Grace Yun, highlight the contrast between the characters' lifestyles, with Karen's glamorous loft and Tina's messy studio creating a visual richness that enhances the film's subtext. The score by Craig Wedren reinforces the film's tone of satire and irony, providing a fitting contrast to its serious themes.

"Egg" is an intelligent and thought-provoking film, which explores complex issues in a witty and engaging way. It challenges the audience's expectations by offering a nuanced portrayal of its characters and avoiding easy answers. It is a film that is not easily forgotten, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer with its honest and darkly comedic take on modern life.