Review of "Unplanned"

Bulletin Article – Palm Sunday (April 14, 2019)

I just returned from seeing the new movie, Unplanned, which has been heavily publicized in this parish and by many good pro-life Catholics. So here is my unofficial movie review!

Unplanned is based on the eponymous book by Abby Johnson, former director of a large Planned Parenthood facility in Texas. It tells the story of her entrance into the abortion industry as a young and impressionable college student, her rise through the organization, and how she was eventually converted to the pro-life cause as she was able to see a sonogram of the baby during an abortion. She is now a pro-life advocate, founding an organization called “And Then There Were None” which has helped over 500 women leave the abortion industry.

The movie itself received a (quite controversial) R-rating, but it was well-earned, in my opinion. The very first scene was the gut-wrenching visual of the abortion that changed her mind, complete with blood and screams of agony. There were several scenes like that featuring copious amounts of blood and aborted fetuses – it was, at times, difficult to watch, but at the same time it was never gratuitous and, I think, very well-done. A movie such as this should not gloss over the true horrors of abortion, and they portray the reality with a sober realism that communicates its subject matter with gravity and seriousness.

The acting was a mixed bag. Ashley Bratcher, who played Abby, did an excellent job of portraying someone who entered the abortion industry with the noblest of motives, as misguided as they were. It was refreshing to see the clinic workers portrayed, not as heartless monsters, but as human beings, with great complexity. Some were there because they genuinely wanted to help women, while others made it clear that they reveled in the abortions they performed. The pro-life contingent, too, were cast as delightfully complex and compassionate individuals Nevertheless, as is the case with many films by Pure Flix, there were also some clunkers as actors – most notably, in my opinion, the man who played Abby’s husband, Brooks Ryan, and some of the Coalition for Life members.

Cinematically, this was far, far better than I expected, and leagues ahead of their earlier films (they notably produced the infamous “God’s Not Dead” series which – and this is only an opinion, one may disagree if they wish – I think are among the worst movies ever made). Dialogue, camerawork, and pacing were all fairly crisp and well-done. I was very moved at several points by the anguished conversations of young girls contemplating abortion, and by the sincerity of the Coalition for Life members as they prayed behind a thick iron fence (symbolic of the true separation that so often occurs between both sides of this issue).

Two final comments. First, in a movie about such a serious topic, they selected several upbeat contemporary Christian songs as part of their soundtrack – completely out-of-place for such a somber topic. Seems every Christian movie needs a Matthew West tune in the middle just to make sure it appeals to the Evangelicals. Second, this is the problem with a Christian movie like Unplanned – it is completely marketed directly to Christians. How much of this movie was preaching to the choir? Will this movie change people’s minds about abortion, or will it only confirm the pro-life stances of those who have bought out theaters (as has happened around the country)? Which one was this movie intended to do? I could imagine that someone who is not pro-life would likely not even step into the theater (with a few exceptions, I’m sure). So, while it is a great and important movie that I believe every adult in America should see, it is also a movie that mostly only Christians will see because of its overt Christian overtones. Nevertheless, with all of its flaws, I would give it a solid 4/5 stars.

At the end of the movie, there is a great message of hope, however. Although nearly one-in-four women will have an abortion, there is hope and healing for those who have made this choice. The Sisters of Life in Stamford offer retreats of hope and healing after abortion, and the diocese offers one as well (called “Project Rachel”). There is no sin that God cannot forgive, so if you or a loved one has chosen an abortion, bring it to the Sacrament of God’s Mercy in Confession, and lay down that burden that you may have carried for years. If you are currently in a crisis pregnancy situation, Malta House or the Sisters of Life have resources to help – please reach out, and there will be only love and encouragement and practical support for you. Let us all continue to pray to end this scourge of abortion in our land!