The Office’s Mindy Kaling is co-writing a big-screen romantic comedy called The Low Self-Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie, and this is very good news indeed. If we must endure this genre being called “chick flicks,” the least we can do is get smart women to write them — and to make them, you know, actually insightful about romance and/or actually funny. I trust half of Subtle Sexuality to do just that. She’s no airhead like her onscreen alter-ego Kelly Kapur — she started her career co-writing and co-starring in the hilarious New York stage show Matt & Ben (she played Ben Affleck), and she writes a lot of The Office’s more romantic episodes, including the highlight of this season, Jim and Pam’s wedding. But I’m getting a little worried about her, too. Not only does she play the hilariously, pathetically desperate Kelly on The Office, but with this new script seems to be developing a pattern: It’s about a woman with such little regard for herself that she dates a string of losers. Things do turn around for poor Lizzie when a dude who’s a serious catch suddenly starts pursuing her. But, Mindy, we really hope you know that you yourself are good enough, smart enough, and gosh darnit, we like you! And that you don’t need Ryan or some hot guy to tell you that.
What do you think, Pop Watchers? Are you psyched for a Mindy Kaling romantic comedy? Could she be the next Tina Fey? Did you (like me) use this news as an excuse to listen to “Male Prima Donna” again?
Photo credit: Albert L. Ortega/PR Photos
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i love her! Mindy you are the best.
I love watching some of the early episodes of “The Office” and seeing Kelly all buttoned-up and with her hair all tied up – she was like Angela back then. I wonder if they’d ever address what made Kelly Go Wild? That would be a fun episode
i kind of hate the office, but i like her. i think she deserves a larger forum for her talent.
Gasp!! How could you hate the Office? But I agree…it’s nice to see Mindy getting more recognition.
*sigh* I can’t get too excited about a movie where the heroine only learns to value herself because a male romantic interest values her. I mean, yay rom coms written by women, boo tired stereotypes.
A. Men. My thoughts exactly.
I have a feeling that there will be a little more to it than that. Kaling’s a smart cookie. I’m expecting the lady equivalent of an Apatow movie.
The episodes of The Office that she’s written have been some of my favorites (Niagra, The Injury), so I’m pumped to see what she does with a movie. I think she’ll find a way to make it rise above typical “I need a man” cliches that you usually see in Chick Flicks.
so Sara, I guess you’re one of those don’t-call-me-a-chic chics huh. Yeah, men bad, women good. *sigh*
I don’t think Sara was saying men are bad. I think she is just saying that it’s frustrating that the majority of female leads in films have their arc revolve around a love interest.
Is she going to star in it? It would be nice to see a romantic comedy with a minority female lead….
omg!! she is SO going to be the next Tina Fey! <3
I absolutely love Mindy Kaling. Her lines always steal the show on the Office, which is probably why they don’t feature her enough. Seriously, not NEARLY enough. Will I see this film? Yes!
Aah, it’s almost criminal that “Male Prima Donna” is as catchy as it is. But Mindy Kaling’s got comedy in her DNA, and I am on board with whatever she’s selling/producing/starring in. “The Dundies?” “Lecture Circuit?” She’s only written stellar episodes of The Office. Keep it up!
I’ll definitely keep my eye out for it. She’s super cute, funny, and overall talented. Sign me up.
Hopefully, HOPEFULLY it doesn’t cede to normal romantic comedy conventions. Hopefully she can break the mold and no longer will the neurotic female protagonist be reliant on the male to “save” her ie The Ugly Truth. I love Mindy and she definitely needs a larger forum to express her creativity and intelligence.
for Mindy. Love her writing, love The Office. Subtle Sexuality: a classic. I’m not a fan of “chick flicks” and the typical romantic comedy (however, The Proposal was a delightful surprise) but bc Mindy is behind it, it’ll definitely be worth seeing. She’s hilarious. Hope the casting works out well!
I think the theme is universal for a lot of girls out there. I love the fact that they are using comedy to express this, genius=]
MINDY!