There’s hardly a day in the news that there isn’t a story or article about reproductive rights. There’s no denying the topic in general is as politically charged as ever. So watching a movie about reproductive rights in the 60s and the lengths women had to go to may not be something that is on the radar for a lot of audiences. It’s not a topic that many people want to hear more about no matter what side of the issue you are on – and it seems unlikely that the message in a movie like Call Jane will reach the people that may need to hear it most. But even with that said, Call Jane is a timely movie and a story that is often brushed over in the news cycles. It’s not a topic that a lot of people want to acknowledge or even consider while states are reversing access to health care.
The movie follows a suburban housewife Joy, who finds out that her current pregnancy will most likely kill her. Despite petitioning the hospital board, she is told that they cannot make the accepting for a medical abortion even though she has a husband and a daughter at home. Her only option is to find two doctors who will deem her mentally unfit for being suicidal and then the board may reconsider. Instead, Joy finds herself making decisions she never thought she needed and having an illegal abortion at a back alley clinic.
While her life should continue on as usual after the procedure, Joy finds a higher purpose not only helping out at the clinic but helping other women in similar situations. She found herself in a position that no woman wants to ever be in but found that her place as a married middle-class white woman brought more to the table and could be used to help a lot of other women.
The topic of abortion isn’t an easy one and not one that a lot of people are going to be clamoring to see in theaters. But the movie is thought-provoking, and the acting is fantastic. it’s a topic time period that people often would like to forget about, and what could actually be at risk again. But the a timely retrospective on a major issue we’re still having today.
Call Jane is an eye-opening movie and a look at how far reproductive rights have come and what it means if they are lost again. The movie will open nationwide on Friday, October 28
About Call Jane
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About Call Jane
Chicago, 1968. As the city and the nation are poised on the brink of political upheaval, suburban housewife Joy (Elizabeth Banks) leads an ordinary life with her husband and daughter. When Joy’s pregnancy leads to a life-threatening heart condition, she must navigate an all-male medical establishment unwilling to terminate her pregnancy in order to save her life. Her journey for a solution leads her to Virginia (Sigourney Weaver), an independent visionary fiercely committed to women’s health, and Gwen (Wunmi Mosaku), an activist who dreams of a day when all women will have access to abortion, regardless of their ability to pay. Joy is so inspired by their work, she decides to join forces with them, putting every aspect of her life on the line.
