Unexpected

Unexpected is an American drama film from 2015 directed by Kris Swanberg. It features a seasoned ensemble cast including Cobie Smulders, known for her role as Robin Scherbatsky in "How I Met Your Mother," Anders Holm of "Workaholics" fame, and Gail Bean in a memorable supporting role.

The story revolves around the lives of Samantha Abbott (Cobie Smulders), an enthusiastic inner-city high school science teacher, and Jasmine (Gail Bean), one of her promising but underprivileged students. Both unexpectedly find themselves in the family way at virtually the same stage. The film unravels how these two markedly different characters cope with their sudden and unexpected pregnancies.

Samantha Abbott is a dedicated, hardworking teacher in a Chicago public high school. Besides her job, she is enthusiastically involved in shaping the lives of her students, particularly from disadvantaged circumstances. She's sensitive to their struggles and does her best to make a positive impact.

The movie opens with the school's impending closure, forcing Abbott and others in the faculty to look for new employment. She's soon offered a position at a museum, thanks to her boyfriend John's (Anders Holm) reluctant networking. And just when things seem to be in a state of upheaval already, she realises she is pregnant.

Jasmine, among Samantha's brightest students, harbours dreams of escaping her predicament through a college scholarship. However, her life takes a sharp turn when she discovers her own pregnancy. Torn between abandoning her dreams for motherhood or risking her future by juggling both, Jasmine's life seems enveloped in uncertainty.

Samantha not only finds her life paralleling her student's but she also finds a kinship in them facing the same predicament. She takes it upon herself to mentor Jasmine as they navigate the treacherous waters of unplanned motherhood. Despite their wildly differing social status and circumstances, their shared experience places them on a path of self-discovery and personal growth.

Unexpected does an excellent job of illustrating the socioeconomic divide without letting it feel too theatrical or overdone. It captures the stark contrast between the lives of Samantha and Jasmine: Samantha's maternity saga is filled with organic eats, yoga classes, and cozy house parties, while Jasmine deals with the tribulations of welfare offices, ultrasound costs, and family pressures.

Despite the disparities, Unexpected nuances the universal experience of impending motherhood. It carefully dissects the fears, insecurities, and societal pressures women from disparate backgrounds face and offers a touching portrayal of the human condition. The movie’s storytelling lies in its authenticity, showcasing real-life emotions and dilemmas, underlining the absolute uncertainty that often accompanies pregnancy, irrespective of one’s socioeconomic status. The drama is quiet, intense, and filled with emotional gravity, enhanced by skilled performances across the board.

Cobie Smulders' Samantha embodies the everyday woman on the cusp of a major life change, grappling with questions about career, pregnancy, and societal expectations regarding motherhood. Smulders portrays Sam’s internal struggle and emotional journey with realistic subtlety and warmth. Gail Bean delivers a remarkable performance as Jasmine, nailing the complexity and resilience of a young woman forced to grow up too soon. A woman determined to break barriers, she refuses to let her circumstances define or limit her. Anders Holm’s portrayal of John adds another layer of complexity to the narrative as he works through his own feelings of surprise, excitement, and fear about becoming a parent.

Unexpected is a gem in independent cinema. The film's real charm lies in the empathetic examination of its protagonists, underlined by strong performances and a touching narrative. It is realistic, relatable, and refreshing, managing to use a simplistic premise, to narrate a deeply layered, poignant exploration of unexpected motherhood. The film doesn’t shy away from the emotional complexity and physical realities of pregnancy, unraveling a tale that is as much about the bond between two women, as it is about their individual journeys towards motherhood.

In a nutshell, Unexpected is an unexpected delight – poignant, nuanced, and thoughtful. It's a story of friendship, motherhood, dreams, and the strength of the human spirit that keeps viewers engaged and leaves them with much to think about. The film makes for a great watch for those in search of meaningful cinema that offers a mix of emotion, drama, and reality.