This 1996 film is now living on HBO Max and I have to say, watching it on a streaming service is probably better than doing so in a theatre. It is a film about abortion, complete with really difficult, cringey scenes. I had assumed it was pro-choice but after viewing it, I'm not sure. I mean, yes, the folks who created it are pro-choice but they do a pretty good job of showing all sides of the issue. And not for nothing, the most violent parts are those where abortions occur. I would say you will take away what you bring to it. If you are pro-choice, you will see those arguments, if you are pro-life you will see the opposite. Taking place in the same house in three different time periods, 1952, 1974 and 1996, it shows the struggles of three women wrestling with unexpected pregnancies. And it is the thoughtful reflections of these women which is the point. The real point. Abortion is not a simple subject and is the case nowadays it has been reduced to hashtags and platitudes. The reality is much messier. The brilliance of this film, if it has brilliance, is found in the subtle, amazing performances by a seasoned and well-known cast. The weaknesses have to do with poor cinematography and an over-the-top ending which isn't unrealistic but ends up being too much. That being said, this had more substance than I expected. It isn't clean-cut. And for this subject, it never is.
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