Egg 2019
Directed by
Marianna Palka
Made by
Gravitas Ventures
Plot Summary
Centers around the life of conceptual artist Tina, who is faced with a myriad of challenges after she meets her eight-month-pregnant art school rival, Karen. Their rivalry intensifies when Tina introduces her unconventional surrogate, Kiki, leading to some startling revelations that challenge societal norms and the patriarchal family structure.
Having recently relocated to Karen’s neighborhood with her husband Wayne, Tina is eager to showcase her accomplishments and allure. She invites Karen and her husband Don over for dinner in her stylish industrial apartment, hoping to bridge the gap between them. However, tensions hover as Don and Karen display a certain snobbery towards Tina and Wayne’s genuine, grounded lifestyle. In the course of the evening, Tina and Don discover shared interests, while Karen becomes increasingly uncomfortable with Wayne’s unconventional views on childbirth and vaginal training.
A pivotal moment arises when Karen, smugly expressing her pity for childless women, is stunned into silence when Tina reveals her own pregnancy plans. As the conversation escalates, Tina begins to question traditional motherhood and assert her stance that women sometimes have children for vain reasons. This declaration annoys Karen, prompting a heated back-and-forth as their differing philosophies clash.
Tina boldly claims that her approach to motherhood is akin to an art project, one that challenges the devaluation of women’s work in society and advocates for the proper pricing of motherhood. Karen’s shock only deepens when she learns that Kiki is actually Wayne’s friend. The storyline thickens when Kiki confides in Wayne about her complicated relationship with her married boyfriend, Clarke, who becomes upset at the thought of her becoming a surrogate.
As layers of distrust unravel, it’s revealed that Karen is grappling with her feelings about Don, suspecting infidelity, and confiding her frustration. Only to find that both women are pushing the boundaries in their lives while attempting to navigate their complex relationships. When Kiki’s intentions waver between having the baby or returning to Clarke, Karen is unsettled by the prospect of losing Don to Kiki.
Tina’s frustration mounts as she feels her control slipping, confronting both Kiki’s choices and Wayne’s loyalty. In a shock to Tina, Don, a property developer, offers Wayne a luxurious apartment, causing Wayne to reconsider his commitment to Tina as he contemplates starting fresh with Kiki.
Faced with the devastating reality that she may lose Wayne, Tina desperately urges Kiki to have an abortion, only to be met with resistance. The emotional climax reveals a deep divide between Tina’s ambition and the paths chosen by Karen and Kiki, who, despite Tina’s assertions, claim to find happiness in their roles.
Ultimately, Tina is left isolated as Wayne decides to pursue a life with Kiki, the mother of his child. A year later, as Tina unveils her art collection, she again encounters Wayne, who approaches her with his new daughter, signifying the stark changes and choices made in their lives. The narrative encapsulates a rich exploration of relationships, societal expectations, and the harsh realities of choices made in pursuit of personal identity.
Timeline
Tina Moves to New Neighborhood
Tina relocates to the same neighborhood as her former art school rival, Karen, along with her husband Wayne. Eager to establish herself and showcase her accomplishments, she hopes this move will help mend their rivalry and allow for a fresh start.
Dinner Invitation Extended
Determined to bridge the gap, Tina invites Karen and her husband Don over for dinner at her stylish industrial apartment. As the evening unfolds, there is an undercurrent of tension as Karen and Don display snobbery towards Tina and Wayne’s grounded lifestyle.
Shared Interests and Tensions Rise
During dinner, Tina and Don discover a mutual interest in certain topics, highlighting the awkwardness with Karen. This leads to increasing discomfort as Karen finds herself at odds with Tina's unconventional views on childbirth and femininity.
Unveiling Pregnancy Plans
A pivotal moment occurs when Karen smugly expresses pity for childless women, only to be stunned when Tina announces her own pregnancy plans. This revelation sets off a heated discussion about motherhood that reveals their starkly different philosophies on childbearing.
Motherhood as an Art Project
Tina provocatively claims that her approach to motherhood is an art project designed to challenge societal norms regarding women’s work. This bold statement shocks Karen, further fueling their argument and showcasing their ideological disparities.
Kiki's Complications
Tina's unconventional surrogate, Kiki, confides in Wayne about her complicated relationship with her married boyfriend Clarke. This situation adds layers of turmoil and emotional stakes for both Tina and Kiki, as Wayne grapples with loyalty to both women.
Karen's Suspicions of Infidelity
Karen opens up to Tina about her growing frustrations with Don and her fears of infidelity. This revelation highlights the cracks in her marriage and mirrors the tensions unfolding between all the characters involved.
Tina's Control Slips
As Kiki's intentions for the pregnancy become uncertain, Tina's frustration grows. She confronts Kiki about her choices and questions Wayne's loyalty, feeling as though she is losing control over her carefully crafted plans.
Don's Offer Disturbs Tina
Don extends a generous offer to Wayne for a luxurious apartment, prompting Wayne to reconsider his commitment to Tina. This offer catalyzes Wayne's desire to explore a potential new beginning with Kiki, leading to conflicts in Tina's ambitions.
Emotional Confrontation
Faced with the potential reality of losing Wayne, Tina passionately urges Kiki to have an abortion. Kiki's resistance to this suggestion reveals deeper conflicts regarding their different paths and the emotional weight of their choices.
Isolation and Decisions
Tina finds herself increasingly isolated as Wayne chooses to pursue a life with Kiki, reluctantly accepting the shifts in their relationships. This loss lays bare Tina's struggles with ambition and the societal expectations of motherhood.
A Year Later: New Encounters
One year later, Tina unveils her new art collection, symbolizing her growth and personal evolution. During this event, she unexpectedly encounters Wayne, who approaches her with his new daughter, representing the significant consequences of their decisions.
Reflections on Choices
As the story concludes, Tina reflects on the societal norms and personal identities that influenced their choices. The narrative leaves audiences contemplating the intricate web of relationships and aspirations that shape their lives.
Characters
Tina (Alysia Reiner)
Tina is a conceptual artist who is ambitious and determined to forge her own path in motherhood. She challenges societal norms, viewing her journey into motherhood as a form of art that critiques traditional values. Despite her eloquence and confidence, she grapples with feelings of frustration and insecurity, especially as she faces the possibility of losing her partner, Wayne.
Karen (Christina Hendricks)
Karen is Tina's rival and a soon-to-be mother who exhibits a facade of superiority. Her initial snobbery masks underlying insecurities about her marriage and motherhood. As her interactions with Tina intensify, she reveals her vulnerabilities, ultimately showcasing the complex nature of friendships and rivalries among women.
Kiki (Anna Camp)
Kiki is the unconventional surrogate who embodies a spirit of independence and complexity. Torn between her friendship with Wayne and her confusing relationship with Clarke, she finds herself at the center of the emotional turmoil affecting both Tina and Karen. Her decisions reflect the challenges of navigating personal desires in the face of loyalty to others.
Wayne (Gbenga Akinnagbe)
Wayne is Tina's husband who is supportive yet finds himself caught between his wife's ambitions and Kiki's needs. His character represents the struggle of balancing family loyalty with personal aspirations, leading to pivotal decisions that impact both his and Tina's futures. As circumstances unfold, Wayne's choices force him to confront his values.
Setting
Time period
The events unfold in contemporary society, capturing modern issues surrounding motherhood, relationships, and personal ambition. This time period is characterized by ongoing discussions about the roles of women in both family and work, and the challenges of balancing personal identity with societal expectations.
Location
Tina and Wayne's industrial apartment, Karen and Don's neighborhood
The movie takes place primarily in an urban setting, showcasing Tina and Wayne's stylish industrial apartment. This environment reflects their creative lifestyle while contrasting with the more traditional home life of Karen and Don, highlighting the nuances of their differing social backgrounds.
Themes
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Artistic Expression
The theme of artistic expression is woven throughout the narrative as Tina views her journey into motherhood as an art project. This perspective challenges society's conventional views on motherhood, emphasizing the need to value women's work beyond traditional roles. The clashing philosophies of the characters further amplify the theme, ultimately questioning what it means to be fulfilled in life.
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Motherhood
Motherhood plays a critical role in the film, sparking intense discussions between Tina and Karen about the motivations and definitions behind becoming a mother. The story delves into the personal sacrifices and societal pressures faced by women, exploring both the joys and challenges of their choices. This exploration pushes against traditional family structures and the expectations placed on women.
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Relationships
Relationships are at the core of the narrative, showcasing the complex interplay between friendship, rivalry, and romantic entanglements. The evolving dynamics between Tina, Kiki, Karen, and their partners illustrate how personal desires can cause rifts. Ultimately, the story highlights how trust and loyalty are tested when ambiguous choices threaten to upend established bonds.
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