Obvious Child's Jenny Slate says abortion's not the point

Guest host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Jenny Slate about her Sundance film festival hit Obvious Child -- a dramatic comedy about a stand up comic in New York dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Slate shares how the movie has made her an "accidental activist" for the right to choose, and why she was attracted to the lead character, Donna -- a woman with flaws that aren't simply "adorable" and who does not exist only to be attractive.

Not a Public Service Announcement

Much has been made of the fact that Slate's character, Donna, is matter-of-fact about seeking an abortion after having a one night stand. Slate says that she views that aspect of the film as just one part of the story.

"I understand why the movie has been kind of billed as an abortion comedy or abortion rom-com, but I feel that that's really incorrect, because it insinuates that we're being rough with the subject or that we think abortion is funny," she says, adding that the film-makers were not flippant, but thoughtful.

"It's about this woman's journey from being passive to active, and learning how to stand by her decisions and still be herself, which means still be funny. Now that she's making a very adult decision, which is to have this safe procedure, can she still be irreverent and playful? Is her nature still hers when it's paired with this choice?"

Watch the trailer for Obvious Child below and tell us: do you value a comedic take on difficult topics like unplanned pregnancy and abortion?

Slate is a former Saturday Night Live cast member, a cast member on the Kroll Show and Parks and Recreation, and the creator of Youtube sensation Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.