THE FEMALE BRAIN

US, 2017, 99 minutes, Colour.
Whitney Cummings, Toby Kebbel, Beanie Feldstein, Cecily Strong, Sofia Vergara, Deon Cole, Blake Griffin, Lucy Punch, James Marsden, Marlo Thomas, Jane Seymour.
Directed by Whitney Cummings.

Is the female brain different from the male brain? If so, how?

This film, written and directed by Whitney Cummings, begins with scientific explanations and the researcher, played by Cummings, with her assistant played by Beanie Feldstein (Jonah Halls’s sister), beginning research and offering lectures, diagrams and x-rays.

Three couples illustrate some conflicts – and are interesting/entertaining in their way. There are also some guest cameos by Marlo Thomas and Jane Seymour.

One of her candidates, Toby Kebbel, is somewhat resistant to her and she has to reassess all her findings as well as reassess her life.

1. The title? Expectations? Similarities between male and female, differences? As illustrated by x-rays and diagrams? As illustrated by the stories and anecdotes?

2. The opening, Julia and her lecture, alerting to the audiences to the nature of the brains, similarities and differences? Her research, her being assisted by Abby, their interactions and comments? The test cases and the couples? Julia and her observations?

3. Kevin, his participation, his principles, his distancing himself from Julia, her coming onto him, his moving away? The effect on Julia, discussions with him, her backing down, final reconciliation?

4. Zoe and Greg, his sport status, his personality, Zoe and her work, not wanting to be dependent? The ups and downs, Greg and his reputation, capitalising on it? Zoe and her independence?

5. Lisa and Stephen, the episode in the bedroom with the mirror, the years of marriage, wanting things to improve, the conversations, the arguments?

6. Lexi and Adam, her being from Britain, the conversations, are continually trying to improve him, his reactions, getting desperate, the breakup? Her visit to her mother, her mother’s demands on her and expectations? Lexi deciding to change, no make-up, coming to apologise? Adam and his reaction, his response to her apology, the possibilities for beginning again, her being herself, allowing him to be himself?

7. Serious aspects, comic aspects?