Appropriate Behavior (2014)

Shirin is struggling to become an ideal Persian daughter, politically correct bisexual and hip young Brooklynite but fails miserably in her attempt at all identities. Being without a cliché to hold onto can be a lonely experience.

Director:

Desiree Akhavan

Writer:

Desiree Akhavan (screenplay)

Stars:

Desiree Akhavan, Rebecca Henderson, Halley Feiffer

2 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Desiree Akhavan	...	Shirin
Rebecca Henderson	...	Maxine
Halley Feiffer	...	Crystal
Ryan Fitzsimmons	...	Brendan
Anh Duong	...	Nasrin
Hooman Majd	...	Mehrdad
Arian Moayed	...	Ali
Justine Cotsonas	...	Layli
Scott Adsit	...	Ken
Maryann Urbano	...	Jackie (as Maryan Urbano)
Michael Lonergan	...	Jacques
Annalisa Graziano	...	Felicia
D'Monaye D'Jara Careathers	...	Caribbean Nanny
Jake Katzman	...	Groucho
Kyle Ty Lewis	...	Kujo (as Kyle Lewis)

Storyline

For Shirin, being part of a perfect Persian family isn't easy. Acceptance eludes her from all sides: her family doesn't know she's bisexual, and her ex-girlfriend, Maxine, can't understand why she doesn't tell them. Even the six-year-old boys in her moviemaking class are too ADD to focus on her for more than a second. Following a family announcement of her brother's betrothal to a parentally approved Iranian prize catch, Shirin embarks on a private rebellion involving a series of pansexual escapades, while trying to decipher what went wrong with Maxine.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian kiss | lesbian couple | f rated | lesbian cunnilingus | title directed by female | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Persian

Release Date:

16 January 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Appropriate Behavior

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,114, 18 January 2015

Gross USA:

$46,912

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$123,699

Company Credits

Production Co:

Parkville Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Desiree Akhavan's directorial film debut.

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Quotes

Maxine: Can't hold my thoughts still long enough to think them, I have to chase them.
Shirin: I know what you mean. The other day, I had a really good idea for a children's book while I was smoking weed and now I have no idea what it was.
Maxine: Keep smoking. You'll get it back.

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Connections

Features 200 (1975)

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Soundtracks

SPIRIT DANCE
Performed by Lynne Music (as LynneMusic)
Written by Aleksandar Dimitrijevic
Published by Lynne Publishing, Courtesy of Neosounds

User Reviews

Is this Appropriate Behaviour?!

A break up movie with difference, told with on point narrative form and a blazing Independent spirt, this movie is about the journey to post-break up redemption.

With current day exploits as Shirin deals with the madness of the relationship break up grieving process, the audience is drawn in to cleverly juxtaposed vignettes that adeptly portray and dissect the reality of the relationship itself from start to finish.

At the same time, Shirin finds a new job that offers the opportunity for some personal growth as she reflects on the behaviour of 5-year-olds and has to play the grown up to them, learning there is always a time for play as well as a time for maturity. She eventually learns to face up to coming out to her family and the closure of the relationship.

Some beautiful and moving moments, perfectly flawed characters, laugh out loud awkwardness, as well as a gentle edgy tone that together create a totally appropriate feature debut for Akhavan.