Unplanned is a film that is difficult to watch-which is a big understatement. In particular, the first ten minutes of the movie are especially harrowing. It's also a challenging film for me to express the right words when writing about said film. Whatever I do write about it, I suspect will probably be inadequate. Accurately conveying to others the feelings that watching this movie engenders in the viewer-both during, and long after seeing the movie-is a particularly daunting task. Nevertheless, it is not unreasonable to posit that this is an important movie-one that, whatever your beliefs, background, or politics-deserves to be seen. Full disclosure-I do identify as Pro-Life. However, I did attempt to write this reflection on this film with a neutral mindset.
Unplanned is an adaptation of the story by the same name by Abby Johnson. Johnson based the book on her own personal experiences and memoirs. At a certain point in time, Johnson was one of the youngest ever clinical directors at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the United States. Johnson would resign from Planned Parenthood in 2009, after a first-person experience assisting during an abortion at her clinic. This was one year after the clinic named her employee of the year. Now an author and public speaker, she is a founder and the president of And Then There Were None, a ministry to help abortion staff leave the industry.
Planned Parenthood is shorthand for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA.) It operates under a non-profit tax status in the United States, and throughout the rest of the world. According to diverse sources such as Forbes, USA Today and NPR, it is the largest single provider of reproductive healthcare services in America. Also according to these sources, It is the largest single provider of abortions in the United States.
The movie opens in dramatic fashion, at what turns out to be Johnson's last day working at the Texas clinic-we, the viewer, are privy to an abortion being performed. We see a flurry of activity, as the clinic's medical staff, including the doctor, prepare for the procedure around the young pregnant mother. Although never present during procedures in the past, Johnson is unexpectedly called in to help out the short-handed staff. We see an impressive, life-like visual representation of an infant in the womb through an ultrasound projection. We also see the doctor pursue the unidentified boy or girl with a vacuum-powered suction device. Twisting and turning in silent protest, we witness with Johnson as the unidentified s/he is sucked into a tube, slowly, piece by piece. "Beam me up, Scotty" are the last words Johnson hears, as she abruptly leaves the room to collapse in a heap of tears onto the nearby restroom floor.
The film then flashes back in time to when Johnson (here played by the extraordinary Ashley Bratcher) is a psychology student in college. Throughout the course of the story, we follow her journey from student, to experiences with her own abortions, to Planned Parenthood recruit, to committed Planned Parenthood new employee, to Planned Parenthood clinical director, to conversion experience, and finally to her transformation into a Pro-Life activist. We get a good glimpse into her personal life, including relationships with her family, husbands, daughter, parents, co-workers, and friends. These friends include people from The Coalition for Life (Now 40 Days of Life) who played a big part in her conversion.
I admire this film for not being afraid to show the ugly side of the Pro-Life movement: we do have scenes shown here outside Johnson's clinic, with pregnant mothers being accosted viciously and unsympathetically by angry extremists-especially one man in particular, who does not hold back his disgust for these mothers as they approach the clinic doors. There is a nice juxtaposition shown here between men like this, and Pro-Life men and women like Shawn (Jared Lotz) and Marilisa (Emma Elle Roberts) from The Coalition for Life, who are shown calmly and respectfully engaging in dialogue with these same women, as well as with Johnson herself.
I admire Unplanned even more for not being afraid to expose Planned Parenthood, warts and all. As this film is based on Johnson's recollections, we see her boss and co-workers in an unflattering light. Particularly frightening is Johnson's boss Cheryl, played with effective menace by Robia Scott. We see the dark underbelly of the organization, the rampant hypocrisy first-hand. Sometimes, it's through simple, underhanded tricks-like turning on the clinic's lawn sprinklers that face outward, to harass protesters outside the gates. At other times, it is more insidious-like when we are led into the P.O.C. room, officially known as the "Products of Conception" room, but unofficially and chillingly referred to by Planned Parenthood staffers as the "Pieces of Children" area. This is where aborted babies are re-assembled in specimen tables, to ensure that none of their tissue is unaccounted for inside their mothers.
I've had but limited experience in the Pro-Life movement, such as praying occasionally outside Planned Parenthood clinics during my parish's 40 Days for Life Observance. I am aware that there are groups of Pro-Life individuals that behave like the extremist man in the film. I am also aware of groups such as Generation Life, which take a compassionate and warm approach to the Pro-Life ministry. And I also have seen the anti-protestor tactics of Planned Parenthood staff and allies first-hand, too numerous to mention here.
I went to see the movie the Friday after it opened with a group of friends. There were several moments in the film that elicited tears, as well as cheers. When it was over, a majority of the audience-it was a decent crowd-stayed long after the credits finished rolling. The best, most effective movies are ones that engender discussion and reflection after they are viewed. Unplanned is no exception- our group, as well as many others in the theater, were caught up in thoughtful, animated discussion for at least an hour, and maybe longer.
This film is rated "R" for violence by the MPAA, which is telling. The "R" rating may restrict viewership, but I would urge those who are able to see the movie to keep an open mind, and go see the picture. It has been said that there are films that, similarly rated, should be seen by everyone. I've heard the power and intensity of scenes in Unplanned be compared to the similar effect of scenes in noteworthy films like Schindler's List (1994) and Saving Private Ryan (1998)-I would say that this is no exaggeration. I would also rank the intensity of Unplanned with what we get from violent scenes in The Passion of The Christ (2004) or Come and See (1985.)
Unplanned is skillfully directed by Chuck Kozelman and Cary Solomon, who also wrote the screenplay based on the book of the same name by Abby Johnson. The duo produced it, along with Daryl Lefever, Chris Jones, and Joe Knopp. It is distributed by Pure Flix.
