In its opening weekend, the Pro-Life film, Unplanned, hit theaters and rose to number four in the box office. Ashley Bratcher stars as Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director who resigned from her job and shifted her ethical position, becoming an Pro-Life activist after she observed an abortion in the procedure room. This film, produced by Pure Flix is based on the true story of Abby Johnson’s personal life and focuses on her time and involvement with Planned Parenthood. While Unplanned is a Christian film, it is unique in stepping into the hot button issue of abortion without intentionally ostracizing those that might disagree with their Pro-Life stance.
Talking Complex Issues
I have no doubt there will be many who oppose this film. Some believing the film to be too biased against Planned Parenthood and similar members of the women healthcare industry, others believing the filmmakers went too easy on the issue. The beauty of this film is how it takes the perspectives on both sides of the argument into consideration. It presents the act of abortion itself as wrong but does not depict the clinic workers themselves as evil. Rather, it provides these individuals as having personal convictions and a desire to help women’s health. The main character of the film, Abby, desires to work for Planned Parenthood and wants to help provide women with the necessary healthcare while under the impression that abortion should be the absolute last resort.
At the same time, while Unplanned is without a doubt a Pro-Life film, it does not shy away from presenting both sides of Pro-Life protesters. The film does have peaceful Pro-Life protesters holding a stronger role in the film, however it does include those who are demeaning and even outright violent in their anti-abortion actions. The film had the opportunity to turn a blind eye and only paint Pro-Life protesters as peaceful, but they didn’t. They acknowledge the crazy protesters that stand along the fence line in costumes, and there are even a few scenes displaying a man holding a Bible while antagonizing a young girl who goes to the clinic.
Avoiding Insider Evangelicalism
While I do my best to remain open minded about them, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of Christian films as I’ve often felt that they are filled with insider Christian humor and language that can leave some viewers feeling disconnected and left out. While these methods might work well for certain film projects, I have also felt that they hold a film back from expanding into a larger conversation with viewers of various faith backgrounds. I’m in no way advocating for censoring the Bible and Christian beliefs from these films, but to handle them in a way that gives an explanation so that someone who could walk into the theater with little to no religious background. This is, without a doubt, one of the strengths that Unplanned highlights. The film makers are aware of the story they are trying to tell and don’t add unnecessary aspects to tell it. There isn’t a side plot happening during the film that is packed with Christian humor of using scripture as the comical relief. With a heavy topic, such as abortion, few conversations about the issue invoke humor in one’s daily life, so Unplanned does the same by avoiding its use. One could even argue that the film, at best, has a few humorous moments, though those moments don’t seem to have been intentionally humorous in my opinion.
Graphic Not for Graphic’s Sake
Unplanned received an R-rating making it the second Christian film to ever receive it (the first being Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ.) The film isn’t graphic for the sake of being edgy and explicit, but instead steps into the brutal realities of abortion procedures, and the mental and physical side effects on the women who go through with having an abortion, along with the medical personnel who perform the abortions. Already there have been articles written about how Unplanned is a Pro-Life propaganda that deceives uncertain viewers and strengthen the beliefs of the choir that is opposed to abortions. However, this film is graphic to educate viewers of the multiple forms of abortion procedures and to display the dangers they can possess. Throughout the film, you see what the abortion pill’s side effects do to women, you see the danger to women when an abortion can go wrong, and ultimately you see babies in the womb moving away from pain.
Final Thoughts:
Go see Unplanned. This is the kind of movie that is needed that address current issues with a biblical worldview. It injects opinions and thoughts into the national conversation that are crucial during such a time when demonizing your enemies is chosen over disagreeing with them. I’ve never wavered in my stance of being Pro-Life, however what has changed over the years is the way I view those that I disagree with. The question I’m left with is this: What would happen if Christians didn’t view those that are Pro-Choice as the enemy? What if instead, we as the body of Christ would seek to have intentional, educational, and grace filled conversations with those that disagree? To be Pro-Life is to defend the inherent value and worth to everyone, both the unborn in the womb and those outside of it whether you agree with their opinions or not.
Sloan Stephenson 