Unplanned is the latest "faith-based" film to hit my local theaters. It is also the most controversial in recent memory. I always take a few minutes to peruse the reviews at IMDb to see how they arrive at their ratings and to see what ratings were given by people who took time to watch the film. Generally (and this film is no exception), the one-star ratings demonstrate that the rater is a troll who did not bother to see the film. I wish IMDb would clean that up and require proof of viewing before one can rate...there is a ledger project for someone. An IMDb type database that has a proof of viewing concept built in to ensure a bit of integrity. As is normal, the ratings are skewed both directions, although it is obvious that the plethora of "10" ratings are also an attempt to manipulate the ratings the other direction (to offset the ratings by people who obviously didn't watch the film). I think the trolls have dragged the rating down a little lower than where this film should end up. But faith-based films generally suffer from anti-Christian bias even when they are well done. This film was solid. If you walk out and are unmoved, you don't have a soul. This film is based on a true story.
Abby Johnson (Ashley Bratcher) was raised in a conservative family. While she is in college, she becomes involved as a volunteer with Planned Parenthood. Her involvement is based on her desire to reduce the number of abortions, but also on her conviction that a woman should have choices. She has made that choice twice herself. Johnson eventually rises through the ranks at her local Planned Parenthood clinic, becoming the clinic director. Johnson marries, has a daughter and maintains a cordial relationship to the pro-choice group who holds weekly prayer vigils at the clinics every Saturday, the day that abortions are performed. After witnessing an abortion first-hand, Abby submits her resignation and joins forces with the pro-life movement. Planned Parenthood attempts to silence her, but loses their bid in court.
Unplanned is Abby Johnson's story. It is not surprising that pro-choice forces have marshaled resources in an attempt to silence her. There are plenty of challenges to Johnson's story, but there is a clear truth that rises above the transparent attempts to discredit Johnson. This is her life story. Abby Johnson worked for Planned Parenthood for nearly a decade. That is not something one would expect from someone merely attempting to get inside an organization to expose it. One thing is clear, Abby Johnson experienced a life-altering conviction about abortion that caused her to resign her leadership position at Planned Parenthood. Regardless of any dispute about the details, she was a long-term advocate whose experience altered her worldview completely on this hotly debated issue.
One of the complaints in the minority of one-star reviews at IMDb is that this film is poorly written. It is not. It certainly isn't "Oscar material," but it is far from poorly written. The best gauge of the writing is whether you are moved or not. Abby seems genuinely convinced that her work at Planned Parenthood helps women. Her experiences were powerful, with disturbing imagery that caused my heart to be heavy with sadness. Anyone watching this film with a jaded perspective may not be moved. But anyone watching with an open mind is going to experience the power of this film. It is, indeed, powerful. That doesn't mean the writing is perfect. Some of the dialogue is a bit weak, but the story itself is powerful. Writer/Directors Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon have collaborated on several other faith-based film to varying degrees of success. They are decent and prolific, although not exceptional.
I was not familiar with the cast of Unplanned. That does not hurt this film. The story does not require an A-List cast to sell. It is a powerful story. I didn't care for the entire cast, but I liked Bratcher, who carried the bulk of this film. She seemed convincing. Equally compelled to push abortion, yet convicted to leave Planned Parenthood and join the pro-life movement. Her performance was credible and moving. I wasn't thrilled with Brooks Ryan as her husband, but he was okay in a very limited role. I really liked Robin DeMarco as Abby's mother, Kathleen. Robia Scott was perfectly cast as the vindictive Planned Parenthood director who serves as Abby's mentor. She seemed a bit like the typical soap opera villainess, but she delivered her role with passion. The casting wasn't bad considering the budget and impact of this film.
Unplanned received an R rating from the MPAA. It was earned. This film made me squeamish at times. While not excessively gory, the topic of abortion can be vulgar. When you boil it down to essentials, it is a brutal procedure that is difficult to watch. While it is not depicted in its full horror, we get a heavy enough dose to make our stomachs hurt. It was tough to watch for me. It was meant to be. If it weren't the film would be meaningless. The limited gore is contextual, with the line drawn well short of overkill. It was just enough to make you uneasy without searing images into your mind. That is the extent of the rating, but it was well deserved. This film should be restricted to children old enough to have a discussion on the broader topic.
Unplanned has been attacked by the pro-choice movement, as one would expect. Planned Parenthood has tried its best to discredit Abby Johnson. But the truth is a powerful tool. The basic facts of this story exceed the diversions of the typical "categorical denial" or character attacks. Abby Johnson was pro-choice. For a decade she was pro-choice and actively engaged in providing abortion services. She assisted women in the aborting of 22,000 babies. That is why Planned Parenthood is so obsessed with this story. Abby Johnson has credibility. She is not a pro-choice warrior who recorded secret damning videos, she was one of their own. Her story rests on a solid foundation. She experienced a life change and became pro-choice. That is the crux of this story, the rest is an attempt to muddy the waters. This film is powerful because it is true. It is powerful because it exposes Planned Parenthood and their massive deceptions. They are a powerful organization, but this low-budget film manages to expose them. It also managed to move me. I don't see abortion as the defining issue of our time, there are too many other bigger issues that are compelling to me, like our crushing debt. But this film needs to be seen. It is imperfect, but the message has power. 7.5/10.
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