Unplanned, out in theaters this week, is the R-rated movie everyone needs to see, including teenagers. I know, I know. R-rated is bad. Really bad. So why do I think everyone should see it? Hmmm. It could change lives. It could save lives. It could spare people from heartache.
Unplanned is based on the book of the same title by Abby Johnson. This is her story, her own personal experience as someone who used to work for Planned Parenthood. Abby was a Christian who believed she was doing good. (Hard to believe, for sure, but to understand her mindset, you must see the film.)
This movie is not a documentary, but a true story that uncovers what really happens behind the closed doors of Planned Parenthood, and what young girls are told about their fetuses. Let’s look at why this movie might be R-rated.
R-rated means Restricted; kids under seventeen years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian to see it. The criteria for a film to receive an R-rating include any of the following factors: adult material, nudity, sexual content, profanity, extreme violence, drug use… Unplanned has no profanity, no sexual content, no nudity, no drug use, no adult material per se…In fact, it is the story of what many girls under the age of seventeen do every day—without telling their parents. Abortion. And abortion is violent.
In most states in America, a girl thirteen years or older can get an abortion without her parents’ consent or even their knowledge. But she cannot see Unplanned without parental consent. She can have an abortion but she must not know what an abortion really incurs. (Some have suggested that the R-rating was given to prevent young people from seeing this movie for fear it would swat them from pro-choice to pro-life—something that would be especially inconvenient for the abortion industry whose existence depends on them meeting their quota of abortions.)
Political hypocrisy!
The characters in Unplanned are superbly credible. Robia Scott, former actress in Buffy and the Vampire Slayer, plays the antagonist, Cheryl, the director of Planned Parenthood. Cheryl is poised, coercive, convincing, cold and cruel, quite different from Robia’s real-life personality.
Interestingly, as a follower of Jesus, Robia had walked away from the compromising world of Hollywood to follow the call of God in ministry. Fifteen years later, a random person introduced her to Unplanned. Says Robia,
“I loved the idea of portraying truth. But I was still hesitant when I saw the script because of the character I was being asked to play, and the intense dialogue. Do I really want to take this on? I asked. Then I thought, “For such a time as this” and was quickly compelled to see this role as an important piece to tell this story.”
Just as God prompted Robia with, “For such a time as this,” so it is with the timing of the movie’s release. Producers Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon had procured the rights to this movie six years ago. But year after year, they received a check in their spirit that this was not the time. Until last year when they felt release to move forward.
Talk about timing. This very year, abortion has moved from early abortion to full gestation (partial) abortion — and even to infanticide in some states. This movie is pivotal to open people’s eyes to what is taking place in this country!
Things to note:
- Unplanned is not a low budget Christian movie. It is top-notch Hollywood quality.
- Unplanned is not even a “Christian movie” per se. It is simply the true story of Abby Johnson.
- Unplanned is not a gory sensational documentary. It is not a documentary at all. And although parts of it are drawn from documentation and are disturbing and shocking, the film is nonetheless “entertaining” because it tells a story of a woman, a family and real people — a believable story.
- Unplanned has surprising elements and twists — not the least of which is Abby’s incredible deception and blindness. She is a Christian, wife and mother working for Planned Parenthood. Hard to believe until you see her story.
- Unplanned may change your perspective about abortion workers and kids and women who choose abortion. It may stretch the boundaries of your compassion. (It did mine.)
- Unplanned is not a feel-good story, but it does leave you on a huge note of hope and encouragement. And hopefully disgust — enough to make you want to encourage more people to go see it.
Things to do:
- Please do all you can to go see Unplanned this week in a theater near you — and bring your friends and family. Your mind might already be made up, but by going to see the movie you are making a statement that increases the film’s impact. Your attendance counts. Movie theaters will likely show the film in more theaters, and show it for more days if enough people attend.
- Bring friends. This increases buzz and buzz will draw more people to see the movie. Thus, your presence and others’ can save babies’ lives, mothers’ lives, abortion workers’ lives, and even convert blinded pro-choicers.
- In spite of R-ratings, bring as many teens as you can. They especially need to see this movie. It could open or change their minds on this issue and prevent them from making decisions that could scar them forever.
- Pray for this movie. It can potentially change lives.
- Pray for the cast and all those involved in the making of this film. Their lives could seriously be at risk as they uncover deep darkness.
- Pray for policy makers to see this movie.
- Pray for churches and godly people to back up this movie and promote it.
For more on the movie, go here.
To learn more about Abby Johnson and her ongoing ministry, go here.
A few more tidbits:
- Abby Johnson facilitated 22,000 abortions.
- At least 28 abortion clinics have been closed.
- Some 500 abortions workers have left the industry. (Many have found help from the abortionworker.com and “Then There Were None” ministry.
Ready to see this movie now? Round up your friends and go this week while its in theaters.
–Janey DeMeo | ANS News