Unpregnant

Unpregnant is a 2020 American young adult road comedy film, co-produced and directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg. The movie is adapted from the 2019 novel of the same name written by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan. The film stands out because of its raw storytelling and its ability to balance humor with serious themes involving young adults.

The film features highly talented actors that not only includes Haley Lu Richardson, but also Barbie Ferreira, Giancarlo Esposito, amongst others. These performances bring life to the characters while each actor perfectly portrays their corresponding role and adapts to the overall style of the film.

Unpregnant revolves around the story of Veronica (played by Haley Lu Richardson), a popular high school student, living in Missouri. She's at a promising point in her life - she has a committed long-term boyfriend and has been accepted into a prestigious college. Everything appears perfect from the outside, but her life takes a drastic turn when she discovers that she's pregnant. The narrative takes shape as Veronica realizes that she can't get a legal abortion in her state without her parents' consent which she can't obtain given their traditional and conservative beliefs.

Production details, such as lighting, costumes, cinematography, and the soundtrack, combine to create a memorable and moving atmosphere in Unpregnant. The film does an excellent job of showcasing the stark contrast between Veronica's meticulously organized life and the road trip full of uncertainty and challenges that she embarks on. Unpregnant uses humor as a tool to tackle serious issues which contributes to its fresh and fearless approach.

Understandably fearful of the future, Veronica decides to take her ex-best friend Bailey (played by Barbie Ferreira) on a road trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico where minors can obtain an abortion without parental consent. Despite their past fallouts, Bailey agrees to accompany Veronica on the 994 mile-long journey, setting a blueprint for the eventful road trip that follows.

Throughout the film, the viewers experience numerous shades of emotions, the excitement and trepidation of the road trip, the gravity of Veronica's situation, and the rebuilding of her friendship with Bailey. The evolution of Veronica and Bailey's friendship is heartwarming to watch. The film does not resort to providing easy solutions or wrapping up the narrative in a neat bow but rather shows the ups and downs of their relationships and their personal growth throughout the journey.

Unpregnant also features Giancarlo Esposito playing a character that they meet during their road trip. His role is instrumental in furthering the narrative, adding another layer to the plot, and bringing an additional dynamic to the duo's adventures.

Masterfully directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Unpregnant strikes a perfect balance between the serious issue at the center of the plot and the comedic elements that keep the movie engaging. Goldenberg manages to put forth a bold and sensitive depiction of a teenager's life-altering decision. She very delicately handles the issue of teenage pregnancy and abortion rights, which are hotly debated topics and are often laden with stigma and judgment.

The multi-layered story of Unpregnant features beautiful performances, intriguing characters, and a well-paced narrative. It is much more than a comedy, but a reflection of the modern societal challenges young women face. Unpregnant, while being an entertaining comedy-drama film, also manages to start a conversation about the less discussed aspects of teenage life and the urgent need for society to liberalize its conservative standpoint on these issues.

Unpregnant is not only an enjoyable and poignant cinematic experience but also serves as an eye-opener for the society in which we live. With a running time of around 103 minutes, it promises to keep viewers at the edge of their seats as they follow Veronica and Bailey's unpredictable journey, their personal struggles, and their fight against societal norms. In the end, Unpregnant assures that the journey of self-discovery is as important as the destination it leads to.