‘Unplanned’ Review- A Sobering True Story
This movie was released in 2019.
Written and directed by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon, Unplanned is based on the memoir of Abby Johnson. The movie was released by Pure Flix Entertainment.
While in college, Abby Johnson (Ashley Bratcher) gets two abortions. The second one from Planned Parenthood is painful and causes eight weeks of agony. However, Johnson doubles down and becomes a counselor at a PP clinic in Texas. She soon becomes a favorite of the clinic director Cheryl (Robia Scott) and receives accolades for her work with the young women coming in. She clashes with Pro-Life protestor Shawn (Jared Lotz). However, Johnson notices some peculiar things happening behind the scenes before a fateful day in the PP operating room.
For those unfamiliar, Johnson is a former Planned Parenthood director who witnessed an abortion and saw the unborn child try to escape. This film shows the story of the events leading up to that fateful day.
I had the privilege of attending the red carpet premiere of Unplanned. I was able to meet several of the cast and crew. Hearing their vision for the film was enlightening to understand the heart of the story.
A lot of the negative reviews have focused on how the film exposes the worst aspects of the abortion lobby. They do not attack the movie on its merits, so they attack the content and the message. Typical. Hollywood and Silicon Valley seemed to be doing everything in their power to stop the film. Cable networks refused to air the trailer or TV spots while it briefly got banned on Twitter at the time.
On that note, the film does have a few issues, but they barely hurt the film in the slightest. For instance, some of the actors are a bit hammy while others are stiff. I also thought the score was underwhelming and while it complemented the movie, it just lacked a certain pizazz.
That being said, the movie is incredibly compelling. As I watched it, I was stunned by the risks the movie took in telling the truth about what goes on in the abortion industry. The plot keeps your attention as you travel with Ashley down a dark path and later into redemption.
Bratcher is excellent as Abby Johnson. Her acting and narration throughout the movie, convey her emotions with a truly emotional drive. Likewise, Scott is great on screen. She portrays the clinic director with a calming radiance before she transitions into someone more suspicious.
Bottom line, Unplanned is an intense story from start to finish. It is shocking, sometimes unsettling, but the story of redemption is one that you do not want to miss.
FAVORITE QUOTE: He’s the last person I want to see.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Some bloody images, disturbing sequences, minor language
Check out the trailer below:
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, anime, or novel you would like me to review.