‘Spinster’ Review: Chelsea Peretti Struggles to Get Her Life Together in Andrea Dorfman’s Anti-Rom-Com

Chelsea Peretti has built up so much audience goodwill from her role as the quirky Gina Linetti in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and from her wonderfully strange standup specials that it comes as a bit of a shock how unlikeable her character Gaby initially seems in the new anti-rom-com, Spinster.

Written by Jennifer Deyell and directed by Andrea Dorfman, at first glance Spinster appears to be trying to subvert the traditional romantic-comedy trope of a single woman entering middle-age who eventually decides to settle down (see: Trainwreck). Gaby is just on the cusp of turning 40 and runs her own catering business, but seems intent on sabotaging it alongside every other facet of her life. She loses a big contract by arguing with a client about her “fairy tale” wedding and is then summarily dumped by her boyfriend, who seems blindsided that they even became an official couple in the first place.

Gaby is argumentative with her friends and family, who seem to be supportive of her no matter how testy she acts with them. She goes on a progression of dates with various guys but fully believes she will end up a “spinster” dying alone in her bath, as she graphically relays to her best friend Amanda (Susan Kent) in front of her children.

Things start to change for Gaby when her brother coerces her into watching his daughter Adele (Nadia Tonen) once a week so he can pursue his disastrous stand-up “career.” Gaby forms a tight bond with Amanda, and that relationship spurs her to begin pursuing her dreams, from finally getting a dog to opening her own restaurant.

Spinster follows a fairly predictable trajectory right until its final act. Gaby is difficult and seemingly unwilling to grow up, but spending time with her niece opens her up to the possibilities of a more adult life with real responsibilities. We’ve seen this scenario countless times (most recently in Judd Apatow’s King of Staten Island), but Jennifer Deyell’s script waits until nearly the end of the film before subverting our expectations. Without delving into spoilers, Gaby unexpectedly meets a man she really connects with and is faced with a choice to pursue the relationship or focus on her burgeoning career, a decision the film handles with a melancholy air that shows how Gaby is beginning to re-prioritize her life and relationships.

Filmed on location in Halifax, director Andrea Dorfman creates a strong sense of place, including a striking final oceanside setting. The claustrophobic notion of living in a small town is reinforced by Gaby’s friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, who somehow feel secure enough to comment on her love life and lack of children in often antagonistic ways (why Gaby would spend time with these people is another question), and points at why Gabby is so shut off for the first half of the film.

Spinster may not reinvent the wheel, but it does a great job of showcasing an alternative to the traditional conservative rom-com tropes. Chelsea Peretti expertly balances her deadpan humour with some heartfelt dramatic turns, which should hopefully lead to even more unexpected roles for her in the future.

Spinster is available on VOD now.