Stop existing, begin living

A fifth old blog I saved from my MySpace account.

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Stop existing, begin living: A Critique of Knocked Up

Written by: Cherie Black

I recall reading a Babysitter's Club book in which one of the main characters (I can't remember which girl it was – Stephanie, Marcy, Katie, Sweetie, Tom Boy, one of the those stereotypical teens) said that she disliked the movie My Fair Lady because Henry Higgins had the audacity to change Eliza Doolittle. Her argument was that there was nothing wrong with how Eliza lived, and it was just plain mean for Henry to criticize her life. Now obviously judging others can be taken to extremes, and truthfully, Henry Higgins isn't the nicest character in the world. However, this rational concerning Eliza bothered me. Up until Eliza meets Henry, she is somewhat ignorant of the conditions outside her own world and the opportunities that could be available to her. Though Henry's approach is harsh and, for the most part, he is simply using her towards his own ends, Eliza benefits from the experience, enough so that even she can recognize Henry's arrogance for what it is.

These values of making something of one's life and being willing to change for the better can be found in another movie as well… one that is arguably less sophisticated than the previously mentioned, academy-award winning musical. Knocked Up – even the title of the film gives away the stupidity which will ultimately be encountered… and actually to save space, for the absurdity is pretty pervasive, I will spare you the vulgar details and move on to the most surprising accomplishments of the film. (Don't ask either – I admit, even I laughed, but I know I would have reconsidered renting it if I had inside knowledge of the jokes ahead of time.)

Anyway, let me introduce you to one not-so-interesting character: Ben. A twenty-(or-maybe-thirty?)-something year old male who is perfectly happy downing beers, smoking pot, sleeping late, and updating his raunchy website (a database of sorts that lists all of the naked scenes in any one movie). Each day is the same thing over and over and over and over again. That is until he meets Allison, an accomplished woman who is celebrating her promotion. While at the bar, they both have too much to drink, one thing leads to another, and suddenly she is pregnant… and suddenly Ben finds himself questioning his life style.

The questioning however doesn't start at the source; rather it is brought to Ben's attention by those who surround him, especially the mother of the child. Though she likes Ben and finds him cute, she is not too agreeable with the idea that her child will be fathered by a man who can't even pay basic bills. The result is that he is presented with an unstated choice: stay as he is and have no contact with his child or change and be a father.

Now I can hear those out there – like the teenybopper, babysitter girl – say, "Wait a minute! He should be able to live his life, never change, and be a father as well. What right do we have to criticize?" Even Allison and Ben discuss this, and in the beginning of their forced relationship, she thoughtlessly reassures him that she's "not trying to change him." And at first, Ben does decide to maintain his bachelor type ways… but what's most interesting about this decision is that Ben finds he is no longer satisfied with those ways. He comes to realize the monotony of his life, changes, and becomes a man worthy of respect. This can be seen in those characters who disregarded him before. Towards the end of the film, he is a character to reckon with - he stops existing and begins living. Allison's controlling sister, her sister's wimpy husband, and Allison's crazy doctor all stop ignoring and begin listening.

Who in their right mind would want to return to the old life style when so much has been gained in the new? None that I can think of… and though this movie moves through slime with its grimy, chauvinistic jokes, it, nevertheless, manages a fresh and sparkling core: seize the opportunities given to better oneself even if the challenge comes from a crotchety English professor or a small, bundle of joy.