As a female director in the stereotypically “man’s world” of filmmaking, Eva Vives knows a thing or two about standing out.
In a male-dominated industry, many women find it challenging to be taken seriously based on her gender. Vives takes this struggle to the stage in her first feature-length film All About Nina, a story that combines heart and humor with the reminder that nothing is out of reach with the determination to succeed and a drink now and then for when the times get a little tough.
It’s hard enough out there for a comedian, and nobody knows that better than 33-year-old New Yorker Nina Geld (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Known as the girl who talks about having sex, wanting sex- basically anything sex-related. Her material may be provocative and profanity-ridden, but she worked hard to get to where she is and embraces every laugh and giggle as validation of her success. While her onstage persona may be on track, off the stage, she is a little girl lost. It is common for her to get drunk after stand-up sets, taking home random men, and all the while partaking in an unconventionally dysfunctional affair with a married man (Chace Crawford). When the chance for a fresh start in Los Angeles presents itself, Nina packs up and heads to the city of angels without hesitation.
Sometimes, one needs to have an emotional breakdown to have a breakthrough.
The people she surrounds herself with make all the difference for Nina. Landing in Silver Lake, her housemate Lake (Kate del Castillo) acts as the hippie mother-figure she always wanted, and her new love interest Rafe (Common) shows her what true love and support feels like. Of course, Nina’s previous baggage begins to infiltrate her newly curated life, as she questions if the happiness she feels is real or superficial. But the bigger question is still- does she deserve this newfound happiness?
Right off the bat, an obvious comparison to All About Nina is the Jenny Slate-starring film Obvious Child. Both Slate and Mary Elizabeth Winstead play young women navigating the choppy waters of the comedy scene in the big city and the mental torture they endure from their romantic relationships (both past and present). In this role, Winstead shines as Nina. She is not only traditionally funny with her spot-on celebrity impressions and well-timed jokes but is also able to play up Nina’s vulnerabilities and insecurities, making her a protagonist worth caring about. Any other actress in this role could have been off-putting or too biting, but Winstead is likable enough that even at Nina’s worst, we still root for her. It also helps that she’s not afraid to get dirty, speak crudely, and look silly on stage.
Working through internal pain by way of comedy is a formula every comedian knows well, and All About Nina is a great example of dealing with life’s struggles. Sometimes, it just takes an emotional breakdown to have a breakthrough.
‘All About Nina’ is rated R for strong sexual content and language throughout, some nudity and brief drug use. 97 minutes. Opening this Friday in select theaters including AMC Sunset 5.
