Appropriate Behavior

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

4.9K

YOUR RATING

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.

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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 clich... 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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

4.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 11 nominations total

Videos2

Photos9

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Storyline

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Did you know

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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

Featured review

7/10

nice indie debut

In Brooklyn, Shirin is lost after breaking up with her girlfriend Maxine. She's got a Masters in journalism but no job. Her Persian family doesn't know about her bisexuality. Her brother is annoyingly successful. Her boy-crazy friend Crystal recommends her to Ken (Scott Adsit) for a job teaching movie-making to kids but it turns out to be more like daycare. There are constant flashbacks to her relationship with Maxine as she tries to move on with other people.

At its heart, the movie is the traditional single-gal-in-the-city. Desiree Akhavan infuses it with a little bit of a Persian family and bisexuality which keeps it fresh. Her writing is pretty good especially for her theatrical debut. There are a couple of really good laughs. Buying a bra scene is really funny with Crystal's reactions. I also love her mother's reaction to her coming out. Desiree's acting is pretty good but not great. Overall, this is a nice little angsty indie and hopefully this is the start of an interesting new voice.