Unplanned

Before seeing this movie I noticed that the majority of people tended towards giving it one star or ten stars. I perused the one star ratings and noted that many indicated that the acting was very poor. Since that has often historically been the case with Christian productions, I thought it might be so. I went to see the movie and can honestly say that the acting was fine and the story gripping, compelling, possibly life changing. I am pro-life. If I had not been and if I had much humanity in me at all I would likely be pro-life after watching this movie. I hope and pray that many who might someday have an abortion would see this movie first.

Before I write this review, I want to explain a bit about my background. Unlike the target audience for this film, I am not a religious Christian. I am from a secular-Jewish family and consider myself an atheist. I've been pro-choice for most of my life, but I realized last year that I was only pro-choice by default. My opinion on the topic was based on only hearing one side of the story for my whole life. Everything I read and saw was pro-choice. Every person I knew was pro-choice. A couple of years ago, I met some pro-life women, and I was surprised that they were not the "ignorant" people I've always been told they were. These were competent, educated, professional women, some in medical fields. I was told that they were against women's rights, but they were mothers who had been through pregnancy and childbirth; they had daughters who could be affected by the abortion issue in their lifetime. They weren't "anti-woman" by any means. So, I decided to do more research and consider the other side of the story.

I encourage other pro-choice people to do the same by viewing this film. You can not have an informed opinion on controversial issues without researching both pro and con points of view. I have not read the book "Unplanned," but I have viewed several of Abby's Johnson's speeches, and this film stayed true to her account of her experience working for Planned Parenthood. Although I expect, like all biopics, some artistic license must have been taken with the story.

I'm a screenwriter who has had films optioned and I have worked in development as a full-time Story Analyst. Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman have crafted an engaging adaptation. Since I had prior knowledge of Mrs. Johnson's story, the film was predictable for me, but I was still emotionally involved in the main character's journey from start to finish. The dramatization puts you in Abby Johnson's shoes, in the way that listening to a speech can not. It's never easy to take someone's real life and put it into a three-act structure with a satisfying character arc. but Solomon and Konzelman were up to the task.

At this point, I am not going to label myself either pro-life or pro-choice. Whether you think abortion should be legal or not, Abby Johnson's story reveals that Planned Parenthood is not perfect and needs improvement. Profits from abortion are a priority, so counselors are less medical professionals than salespersons. The counselors do not always give accurate information to the pregnant women who come in, and they mislead them, or withhold information about fetal development and the actual abortion procedure. I have spoken to women who had abortions as teenagers, who now regret it, and some of them have told me that they felt Planned Parenthood misled them and did not help them make an informed decision about their pregnancy. This film is important because it brings those issues to light. You don't have to be a religious person to appreciate that no woman should undergo a medical procedure without being fully informed about it.

Honestly, if you watch this film with an open mind you will be moved and frankly stunned. Every person on both sides of the debate needs to see this movie. Goes beyond hype and delivers so much truth. Isn't that what we really need? All the facts and the entire picture before taking such an important stance? As much as I love my Marvel movies, this is the tale of real life heroes and victims that needs to be seen. Most of the time movies should be escapist entertainment but in some cases certain things are too important not to shed light with this medium. Do the world a favor and see this film and judge for yourself.

At the beginning of the movie, there is an amazing ultrasound scene of an abortion that will stay with you forever. It should have been repeated later in the movie for dramatic purposes. Script, acting, and direction are all solid if uninspired, but there is surprisingly little emotional impact until the very end. The material is so powerful that the movie should be a must see. Despite "R" rating, should be shown to all teens in high school.

I took my 4 kids, age 16-9, & I read the parental guide before hand. I was surprised at how good this movie was and how well such a horrific topic was scripted. It was not as bloody or graffic as most videos, games, or anything else kids see daily, other than the fact that it was about a real life issue that most would rather not discuss. It's not a film just for religious people or Christians. It's a movie for all people because all lives, especially the unborn, matter because they are our future.