Patty Duke in By Design (1982)

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The struggles of other people make for the best comedy, and the outlandish and absurd circumstances of By Design (1982) tickle the funny bone largely because they are imposed upon somebody else, in this instance a lesbian couple whose abiding desire is to parent a child. Aside from the biological hurdle that requires them to recruit a male for semen input, the pair of female lady lovers is hampered by the fact that each of them is a style-obsessed fashion designer; so not just any old genetic slop will do. The banter and broad humor of director/writer Claude Jutra bring a welcome slapstick comedic relief to what could easily be a dire and depressing situation.