If you are expecting this film to be about a lesbian couple in search of legendary country singer Dolly Parton, I hate to burst your bubble. While that is the kind of quality queer film I want to see at my local cinema, the Dolly Parton reference is to a variety of rose. Horticulture aside, Seeking Dolly Parton is a smart if uneven little film about a same-sex couple trying to have a baby. Yes, that old chestnut.
Celina (Anya Monzikova, who is a dead ringer for a ’90s era Samantha Mathis) and her girlfriend Charlie (Kacey Barnfield) are crazy about each other and, after two years of dating, have decided to have a baby. Well, Celina has decided to have a baby. Charlie is much more on the fence about the whole idea, as her family life was wrought with abandonment and chaos. But she loves Celina and wants to make this little family happen for her. Not always the best idea, but hey, it happens.
After first looking for sperm donors online, Celina suggests they ask their best gay guy friend, Jon (Raffaello Degruttola), instead. Jon is a bit of a mess, however, and can’t go through with the donation, so the women are back to square one. That’s when Celina gets an idea that would horrify most girlfriends: She wants to ask her ex-boyfriend-the guy she was with before Charlie-to be the donor.
This, of course, introduces us to Josh (Michael Worth, who also wrote and directed the film), an artsy, aimless guy with a mane of hair to rival Tim Riggins. Josh is still in love with Celina, and can’t help but think that this is his way to win her back. Don’t get nervous, though-this isn’t the typical “lesbian sleeps with a man” thing. In fact, while much of the latter part of the film is about Josh’s journey, it’s also about the love and commitment Celina and Charlie have for one another. When Josh starts to get flirtatious with Celina, she makes clear that he wouldn’t dream of that if Charlie was a man, and that her relationship with Charlie is just as valid. Right on, Celina.
This film has quite a few great performances from its three leads. Anya Monzikova and Kacey Barnfield are totally believable as a loving couple, and Michael Worth is on point as the lovelorn and rather lost Josh. The film does veer into the territory where Josh becomes the center of the story, making Celina and Charlie orbit around him. Charlie’s feelings of jealousy but budding friendship with Josh add an interesting element. He inevitably plays a big role in a healing process for Charlie, which brings another layer to the story.
Overall, Seeking Dolly Parton is a story that’s as old as time, but feels fresh.
Seeking Dolly Parton will be available for digital rental on September 25th.
