A comparison to Lena Dunham or Greta Gerwig may be unfair and largely superficial, but much of writer-director-actor Desiree Akhavan’s, Appropriate Behaviour, draws on the directionless Brooklyn twentysomething archetype. Fortunately Akhavan’s debut feature film avoids mimicking HBO’s Girls, presenting some fresh ideas on a increasingly formulaic genre, resulting in a charming, relatable film.
When Shirin (Akhavan) leaves her girlfriend Maxine (Rebecca Henderson), she finds herself directionless and unmotivated. As the history of their relationship is revealed in flashbacks, Shirin embarks on a variety of rebound misadventures, looks for a new job and struggles with the task of telling her traditional Iranian family that she is bisexual.
The film meanders in parts, with a seeming unwillingness to settle into a structured direction, but remains engaging and enjoyable. Within its deadpan style and confident candour, Appropriate Behaviour is frequently funny with charming moments of pathos. From an awkward date with a gay-rights lawyer to miscalculated attempts to win her girlfriend back, Akhavan balances hilariously acerbic one-liners with considered timing to brilliant effect and it is refreshing to see a low-key non-anglo, queer perspective on this now-common genre. The honest discussion of sexuality and inclusion of Desiree Akhavan’s Iranian culture are skilfully weaved into the narrative, which succeeds in both its moments of quiet poignancy and its scenes filled with, quite literal, fart jokes.
BY DANIEL COGHLAN
