Petting Zoo exists in the crossroads between Texas-sized conservative values and an emerging genus of first-generation aspirations as 17-year-old Layla finds herself simultaneously presented with a college scholarship and a bun in the oven. Writer, director Micah Magee‘s tale of unexpected pregnancy is one that cuts close to home, having been a pregnant teen herself.

States Magee, “I wanted to tell this story from a place of empathy and experience instead of a political angle.” By in large, her dramatic tale of difficult choices at a ripe young age does linger in the emotional corner of the room though some of the most interesting aspects of the film – her fundamental ideological differences with her birth parents – those that might just be political after all, feel skimped on.

Acting as Magee’s stand-in is Devon Keller (Layla). Her fawn-like eyes and meek frame wrangle in an underlying glow of intelligence and an cerebral hearth of cunning. The most defining feature of Layla though, like all hormone-laded teenage girls, is her fragile emotional epicenter. Not one to be bucked off balance by a philandering beau, unsupportive parents or her blue collar roots, Layla faces constant trials to her psychological health in dance halls and doctor’s offices alike.

Keller, a non-actor, surfaced for the role in a doozy of a casting call anecdote. At the same school where casting was taking place, Keller won a Taco Bell burrito at a fashion show (oh Texas) and awkwardly accepted her bean and cheesy prize. Though initially hesitant to sign on for the role, Keller provides Layla layers of honesty and plain-faced charm that would have otherwise been altered by the presence of a more “actory” performance.

Debuting at Berlin Film Festival to dull roars of approval – Variety’s Peter Debruge called Petting Zoo his “favorite film” at the festival – Magee’s film aims to distinguish itself by way of an overwhelming sense of stern-faced seriousness. Last year, Jenny Slate transformed her pregnancy in a feminist laugh riot, crafting a bonafide hilarious abortion comedy. In 2007, Juno snarked a way through her knocked up interim with acerbic zingers in a borderline romanticized, nonchalant fashion wholly uncharacteristic of your average accidental teenage pregnancy. Here, Layla takes the fetus feeding inside her deadly serious and so does Magee. The result, though honest, revealing and emotionally forthright, is kind of a drag.

Growing pains and relationship strife bucks up against strict family values and the ensuing dichotomy of a lower-class preggo schoolgirl hoping against hope to populate her mind with collegiate knowledge is an emotional wrestling match in itself. And far be to it for me to say that all pregnancy dramas should come with a hearty scoop of a self-deprecating female jester, all that pain and suffering becomes a hefty dose without the sweet release of an occasional levity.

C+

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