Kinda Pregnant has an idea that could support a pointed comedy about social expectations. A woman pretends to be pregnant because she feels left behind. The film mostly settles for conventional situations instead of exploring the pressure beneath them.
Lainy Newton wants a family, but her relationship ends while her friend Kate is expecting a child. Jealousy and disappointment lead her to wear a fake pregnancy belly. The lie creates awkward encounters and becomes even harder to maintain when she meets Josh.
Amy Schumer brings energy and a willingness to make Lainy look ridiculous. Her self-irony and blunt humor could have given the material an edge. The screenplay rarely turns that potential into something less familiar, though.
The romance benefits from the chemistry between Schumer and Will Forte. Brianne Howey also provides a bright spot among the supporting performances. Those assets cannot disguise how predictable the jokes and developments are.
Motherhood, envy and the expectation that a woman's life should follow a particular path all offer worthwhile subjects. The film touches them without giving them much depth. For me, that is a missed opportunity, and I did not laugh.
Fans of Schumer may still enjoy her presence. Anyone looking for an original or incisive comedy is likely to find this too familiar. Kinda Pregnant has a more interesting premise than the film it becomes.