Teen sex comedies have come a long way since the days of Revenge of the Nerds and The Last American Virgin. Over the decades, the genre has progressed to match up with the target generation. From American Pie to Superbad and most recently, Book Smart, there are formulas and tropes that remain in place as the genre evolves. Plan B is a charming coming of age film that holds true to some of the guiding tenets of this category, while creating a new and original take on teen comedies.
One of the main goals of the sex comedy is to have the protagonist lose their virginity by a set deadline. Plan B looks at the aftermath of achieving this goal. Sunny loses her virginity during an impulsive one night stand and attempts to purchase the Plan B pill. However, this solution fails when the local pharmacist in her South Dakota town invokes the “conscience clause” an actual law that gives healthcare workers the right to deny patients any treatment that goes against their beliefs. Sunny and her best friend Lupe must embark on a journey to the nearest Planned Parenthood before the efficacy for the pill is minimized.
Kuhoo Verma plays Sunny, a smart girl who is ready to start following her desires. Victoria Moroles plays Lupe, a rebellious girl who has no problem following her instincts. Verma and Moroles give wonderful performances. They have incredible chemistry and comedic timing. Their performances add power to the friendship between Sunny and Lupe. Verma and Moroles are sure to star in more features after their performances in Plan B.
Joshua Levy and Prathiksha Srinivasan delivered a hilarious and nuanced script. The jokes are clever and the story will resonate with women of every generation. While Plan B is very successful in its comedic aims, there is an overarching story about the inequalities women face in terms of reproductive rights. Directed by Natalie Morales, several scenes highlight the potential danger of existing as a woman then take the audience to the free spirited joy of adolescence. The writing and direction seamlessly move the audience through the ups and downs of this mission without jolting the audience out of the tone of the film.
Like its predecessors, Plan B has nudity, gross out gags, and jokes that will make you laugh until your stomach hurts. However, Plan B is never exploitative and tells a story of loyalty and the importance of forgiving oneself.
Plan B premieres on Hulu on May 28th.
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