2020
Directed by Eliza Hittman
Kudos to the List for including so many female directors in this update. Abortion as a topic hasn't popped up too often on this blog. I am grateful the subject is actually being covered by women.
Pennsylvania continues to embarrass me by providing the setting for this story. Seventeen-year-old Autumn is unable to get an abortion in Pennsylvania without parental consent. She does her best to terminate the pregnancy herself, when that doesn't work, she turns to her cousin Skylar. Skylar manages to steal enough money for bus tickets to New York, so Autumn can get her abortion.
This was a tough watch, particularly the grueling pregnancy clinic appointments. The film did an outstanding job portraying how vulnerable teenage girls are, and how they are just under a constant barrage of attacks on their body.
The two leads brought freshness and sensitivity to their roles, which was no doubt funded by their lack of experience. I like the moments of hope sprinkled in the story.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Interesting Facts:
Sidney Flanigan beat out more than a hundred actors for her role.
