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Appropriate Behavior

  • 20142014
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behavior (2014)
For Shirin, being part of a perfect Persian family isnÂ’t easy. Acceptance eludes her from all sides: her family doesnÂ’t know sheÂ’s bisexual, and her ex-girlfriend, Maxine, canÂ’t understand why she doesnÂ’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 brotherÂ’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.
Play trailer1:54
2 Videos
10 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Romance

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 ... Read allShirin 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.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.

IMDb RATING
6.5/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Desiree Akhavan
  • Writers
    • Desiree Akhavan(screenplay)
    • Cecilia Frugiuele(story)
  • Stars
    • Desiree Akhavan
    • Rebecca Henderson
    • Halley Feiffer
Top credits
  • Director
    • Desiree Akhavan
  • Writers
    • Desiree Akhavan(screenplay)
    • Cecilia Frugiuele(story)
  • Stars
    • Desiree Akhavan
    • Rebecca Henderson
    • Halley Feiffer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 17User reviews
    • 72Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 10 nominations

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:54
    Official Trailer
    Appropriate Behavior
    Clip 2:47
    Appropriate Behavior

    Photos10

    Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Desiree Akhavan and James C. Bristow in Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Appropriate Behavior (2014)
    Desiree Akhavan in Appropriate Behavior (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Desiree Akhavan
    Desiree Akhavan
    • Shirinas Shirin
    Rebecca Henderson
    Rebecca Henderson
    • Maxineas Maxine
    Halley Feiffer
    Halley Feiffer
    • Crystalas Crystal
    Ryan Fitzsimmons
    Ryan Fitzsimmons
    • Brendanas Brendan
    Anh Duong
    Anh Duong
    • Nasrinas Nasrin
    Hooman Majd
    • Mehrdadas Mehrdad
    Arian Moayed
    Arian Moayed
    • Alias Ali
    Justine Cotsonas
    Justine Cotsonas
    • Laylias Layli
    Scott Adsit
    Scott Adsit
    • Kenas Ken
    Maryann Urbano
    • Jackieas Jackie
    • (as Maryan Urbano)
    Michael Lonergan
    • Jacquesas Jacques
    Annalisa Graziano
    • Feliciaas Felicia
    D'Monaye D'Jara Careathers
    • Caribbean Nannyas Caribbean Nanny
    Jake Katzman
    Jake Katzman
    • Grouchoas Groucho
    Kyle Ty Lewis
    • Kujoas Kujo
    • (as Kyle Lewis)
    Renzo Masuko
    • Rockoas Rocko
    Declan Broggy
    • Renas Ren
    Alex Kagan
    • Archieas Archie
    • Director
      • Desiree Akhavan
    • Writers
      • Desiree Akhavan(screenplay) (story)
      • Cecilia Frugiuele(story) (uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Sundance Film Festival
    • bisexual
    • lesbian kiss
    • lesbian couple
    • f rated
    • lesbian cunnilingus
    • 194 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Desiree Akhavan's directorial film debut. It was also her debut as an actress and writer.
    • Quotes

      Tibet: [Tibet is running an improbably sophisticated film-making class for 10-year-olds] Gracie, would you mind briefing our guest on today's project?

      Grace: We are doing a shot for shot remake of a scene from "The Birds."

    • Connections
      Featured in Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
      Written and performed by Josephine Wiggs
      Published by Naked Mole Rat Music/BMI

    User reviews17

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Heartbroken woman makes a lot of bad/ funny decisions
    I saw this film at Frameline 38 on June 27, 2014 at 7 pm in San Francisco at the amazing Castro Theater. Writer, director and lead actress Desiree Akhavan shows us the story of Shirin who is a wonderful, loving, flawed, fragile, F**ked up human being just like the rest of us. She will not get over her ex-girlfriend, she looks for love in all the wrong places (with hilarious results) and has very limited success when trying to come out to her family who have a selective hearing problem. The Q & A after the film was wonderful and Ms. Akhavan is clearly the Queer, Persian equivalent of Sandra Bullock - funny, talented, charming, intelligent, beautiful and very comfortable with her awkwardness. Absolutely delightful - go see this film.
    helpful•25
    6
    • crystalmh3698
    • Jul 2, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 16, 2015 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Persian
    • Also known as
      • Appropriate Behaviour
    • Filming locations
      • Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Parkville Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $46,912
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,114
      • Jan 18, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $123,699
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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