“Unplanned” movie review

The controversial R-rated movie “Unplanned” follows the real-life story of Abby Johnson who became the youngest director of a Planned Parenthood clinic and earned the distinction of employee of the year, only to abruptly resign and completely reverse her position on the issue of abortion. This movie shows you the events and people that changed her life, that changed her heart. Having seen the movie myself, what can I say about it? How would I describe it? Real. It was very real. And at times it was intense, and yes, even disturbing.

Semi-spoiler alert: Although I have tried not to include real spoilers, I do discuss elements of the plot and development of the movie. If you have already decided to watch it and want to enjoy it without having your experience shaded by outside expectations, you may prefer to watch the movie before reading my review.

Was it gratuitously gory, medically inaccurate, exaggerated?

One of the key points I am sure my readers will want to know about is the R rating. How gory was it? Does it depict an actual abortion? Was it exaggerated? Was it gratuitous? There is quite a bit of blood in several scenes.

It depicts an ultrasound-guided first trimester abortion, which is unusual because these procedures are normally performed blindly. This scene is the pivotal “What she saw” referenced in the tagline, and it was a pivotal moment for the real-life Abby Johnson. The depiction in the movie uses a CGI ultrasound image. Abby Johnson has said that the CGI depiction looks very much like what she saw in real life. I would say the CGI depiction strikes me as sharper and more clear than most ultrasounds I have seen. But it was not fake and cheesy, nor was it medically inaccurate. Although the black and white image of an ultrasound is certainly less gory than directly seeing a fetal dismemberment, this image coupled with seeing the bloody fluid running through the tubes of the suction machine is still quite powerful, even gruesome. If you are taking children or other sensitive individuals to see the film, you need to be prepared for these depictions.

There is also a scene that depicts Abby’s personal experience with a first trimester medical abortion, using abortion pills. Her experience was probably worse than most but — as noted in the movie — is not considered abnormal. The scene depicts a lot of blood and large clots, as well as intense pain. This, too, was a key event in Abby Johnson’s real life. Other scenes depict a medical emergency in the clinic, which is inevitably bloody, and a scene in the POC (products of conception) lab, which is far less graphic than it could have been.

If the aim of the movie were to fully display the gruesomeness of abortion, to persuade the audience by sheer shock value, they could have been far more graphic and disturbing. But that is not what this movie was about. Nothing was gratuitous. Every event is a piece of Abby’s story, and the movie centers not on these depictions, but on her story. And it is a very touching and moving story, one worth telling.

How was the movie, cinematically?

I was a bit unsure of the approach that was taken early in the movie, although perhaps that was partially based on my expectations and what I had already heard about the movie. I think I expected the first part of the movie to focus more on her pro-choice position at that point in her life. Instead, it begins as her telling of her own story and makes her ultimate viewpoint clear from the beginning.

In particular, I questioned the key “what she saw” scene being portrayed so early in the movie. Perhaps because I had expected this to be a climactic moment in the story, I felt like it had been thrown out there prematurely. But the narrative then goes back and traces events in Abby’s life that led up to that moment. And when the scene is later revisited from a slightly different perspective as a climactic moment in her life, it works very well. There is no need to show the ultrasound images again, or focus on the bloody fluid in the suction tubes, we have already seen that. Instead, the scene now focuses on Abby’s emotions, on her response that what she is seeing, and it makes for a powerful moment.

I do wonder if the movie might have done a better job of drawing in pro-choice viewers if it had started with a more neutral tone and spent more time on Abby’s own pro-choice views. But that is hard for me to judge since I don’t approach the movie (or life in general) from that perspective. Perhaps the movie is better for its upfront honesty about where the movie is going.

Ultimately, the story was well told. It was not cheesy. It was not overly dramatic or fake. I appreciated the emphasis on accuracy and realism and I think it paid off. There are events in the movie that could have been changed up, a bit of “artistic license”, for dramatic effect. But I think that would have been a mistake. The movie’s best quality is its authenticity.

How does it portray opposing views?

I think this was one of the best parts of the movie. The characters are not simplistic and one dimensional. They are complex. Pro-choice people are not portrayed as monsters, abortion workers are clearly shown to be doing what they believe is right. I appreciated the portrayal of the dynamic between pro-choice and pro-life family members, and the relationship between Abby Johnson and pro-life advocate, Marilisa. Pro-choice commentators have also spoken positively about this aspect of the movie. I think that this is also one of the things that makes this movie valuable for pro-life people to see. It reminds us that people with opposing views are just that, people. We see both good and bad aspects of pro-lifers, too, as protesters yell angrily at hurting women approaching the clinic. This, too, is an important part of the story. It reminds us that if we want to make a positive difference in this world, love is the key.

Should I see it?

I would recommend this movie, with the caveat that it is somewhat graphic and disturbing (though never gratuitously so, as I have explained). The R rating, however, is questionable. I do think it is appropriate for teens. I think it is worth seeing for both pro-choice and pro-life viewers. I expect that more dedicated pro-choicers will be almost immediately antagonized by the negative view of abortion and may dismiss the movie entirely. However, for the open-minded, I think this movie will give people on both sides of the issue something to think about, whether they agree with the message or not.

You can get tickets at: https://unplannedtickets.com/

The Longing

“The Christian says, Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same.”

—C. S. Lewis

What if you could picture Jesus in the moments of your greatest shame? What would that look like? Do you imagine that He would be leering at you in anger and indignation? Do you think He would look on you with disgust?

I don’t think so. When Jesus met the woman at the well, and offered her Living Water, he knew her whole story. He knew about her failed marriages and the affair she was having. But He did not look on her with disgust and condemnation. Instead, He offered her a taste of something real. He was telling her, you have been tasting every well you can find, searching for something that satisfies. Let me show you what you have really been looking for. Let me give you something that truly satisfies. Come to me and I will give you Living Water and you will never thirst again.

God wants us to invite him into our shame and our brokenness, so that He can show us what we have really been searching for.

Purim

Purim is the holiday celebrating the Biblical Esther and this year it falls on Thursday, March 1st (begins at sunset on the 28th). I wanted to share a few days early so that those who are interested have a chance to plan and celebrate the holiday in some way.

So, how does one celebrate Purim? The most important observance is reading the book of Esther. During the reading you can boo, hiss, or rattle noise makers whenever the name of Haman (the villain of the story) is mentioned, to blot out his name. You might also consider a children’s adaptation if you have younger ones.

Other important observances include giving portions of food to friends and to the poor and needy to celebrate the day. A festive meal is, of course, also in order. One specific treat to be enjoyed on Purim is a kind of cookie called Haman’s Pockets. They are shaped like Haman’s three cornered hat. You may be wondering why they are called pockets if they are shaped like his hat. This is simply the kind of cookie; it indicates that they have filling inside. My recipe is at the end.

The song “Born for this” by Mandisa also ties into the Purim story quite nicely. You can see the music video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZvZWUZFevI

Haman’s Pockets Recipe
¾ cup butter
½ cup ground dates (I used the blender, food processor may be better)
¼ cup honey
2 eggs
2 tablespoons orange juice
3 ½ cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons orange zest (or 1 tsp dried)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Preserves or fruit butter to fill

Cream together the butter, dates, and honey. Beat in the eggs, then the orange juice. Gradually add in the flour, mixing in the baking powder, orange zest, and cinnamon toward the end. Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour, up to overnight. Roll the dough out and cut out circles. Fill with the preserves or fruit butter, and fold three edges into the middle to make a triangle. Fold them in a pinwheel fashion, so that each side is tucked under at one corner to prevent them from unfolding, and pinch together the corners to seal. Bake for about 15 minutes at 350° until they are lightly browned, but don’t let the filling boil out.

Why is Hanukkah eight days long, or what is the point of one flask of oil when you need eight?

I saw the question posed recently as to why Hanukkah is eight days long if the flask of oil was enough to burn for one night. Does that not mean that the miracle only occurred on the 26th of Kislev for the remaining seven days, when the oil should have already burned out? This may seem like a trivial point, but believe it or not Rabbis have discussed this question for centuries and proposed numerous answers. Here is my thought: Was not the fact that even one flask of consecrated oil was found a miracle in itself?

God had miraculously provided a flask of oil that had been preserved from desecration. But what was the point? It was only enough oil for one night and there was no way that more oil could be prepared and consecrated by the next night. It would take a week to prepare more oil. Why even bother lighting it at all? Nevertheless, they chose to worship God to the best of their ability and they took what oil they had and lit the menorah in the Temple. And miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, until more oil could be prepared! It is as if God, in His divine wisdom, provided this flask of oil and said, “Here. It may not seem like much, but trust Me, this is all you are going to need.”

God often does not give us all of what we need all at once. Sometimes He just gives us the next piece, the next step. Just like the manna in the wilderness, always enough, but they could never gather extra. God was asking them to trust Him. Perhaps God is offering provision in some aspect of your life, saying, “I know it doesn’t look like much, but trust Me, this is all you are going to need.” Will you trust Him?

The Holiday Season is upon us!

So the stores already have all of the Christmas merchandise out, the holiday season is upon us! There is planning, shopping, cooking, and decorating, and even MORE SHOPPING to be done! The holidays sure can be overwhelming, are you feeling a little bit stressed?

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, and forget what it’s really all about. Luke 10:38-42 tells us about a woman who did just that:
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”
You see, Martha found herself overwhelmed by the preparations she felt were required of her. But Jesus was not so concerned about the meal and the niceties; Jesus desired fellowship. What He wanted was for them to put everything else aside and sit at His feet. Mary was not shirking her chores, she was seeking the heart of God. And Jesus says she had chosen the best part.

I hope that this holiday season you, too, will choose the best part. Take time to relax and spend time with your family. Before we dive into the increasingly commercialized Christmas hubbub, take time to remember what Thanksgiving is about. Thank God for His divine provision and preservation, for bringing us safely through another year. Take the time to enjoy fellowship with your loved ones and thank God for one another.
And when Christmas time really comes, consider celebrating it a little differently this year. Christmas is not about fancy things and spending lots of money. It is about God with us. Not as a conquering king, but as the humble son of a carpenter. Not the way we expected, not with armies and wealth to rule and reign; He humbled Himself to live among us, He came to suffer and die. And that is how He saved the world. He lived among us and showed us the way, and in due time He offered Himself up for us.

So this year, maybe we should spend a little less on impressive ornaments and displays and expensive gifts. Focus instead on giving ourselves, our time and attention, to the ones we love. Give more presence, rather than presents. And set aside some of what you might have spent to help those less fortunate. Surely you remember how Jesus loved the poor and cared for the orphans and widows. He even said, “Just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.” So set something aside this year to give Jesus a birthday gift.

I pray that God blesses all of you with a wonderful holiday season, free of stress and full of fellowship with the ones you love. May He keep your hearts and minds as we seek Him and become transformed into the image of Christ.