Call Jane

The right to choose was settled until it wasn't! Who would have thought that another "Call Jane" movement would be necessary in 2023? The film while not perfect get the message across that women were not in control of their own bodies, could not terminate a pregnancy even when medically necessary and the woman's life was in danger. One of the opening scenes has Elizabeth Banks as Joy, pregnant with congestive heart trouble and a hospital board of men voting no on terminating her pregnancy because she might live through it. I almost forgot how dire the situation was back when abortion was illegal in my lifetime. The pill had just become available and has been life changing for women. The film does a good job portraying that time. What a travesty that women's rights have been taken away in more than half of America. I would not have ever predicted that we could regress but we have. It is a tragic state of affairs. Termination is everyone woman's right. It is a private decision. Laws against women, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and culpability against anyone willing to help girls and women access to medical help are despicable. I recommend this film for everyone.

It's actually pretty impressive how well balanced this movie is about the subject. Just when you thought it was going to take just one side to the subject of abortion, a new shoe is dropped to show how multilayered and diverse this manner is. Basically, no woman left behind or taken out of the equation. That would be impressive just for a contemporary movie, yet alone one set in the 1960s. Plus, in my opinion it went through the medical details of an abortion fairly. Meaning they just explained the procedure without guiding you anyway. I've seen content that is supposed to be pro chose purposely, make the whole process look more frightening than it needs to. This movie was just trying to shed some much-needed light on the subject. I can't recall a better work of political art than this movie. I feel like the filmmakers deserve a thanks.

Saw this at BFI London Film Festival. Elizabeth Banks was lovely as Joy about a not very joyous story! The film true story about the 'Janes', an underground club of women in Chicago 1960s, who secretly provided 12,000 women and girls with desperate abortions from life threatening situations. Fight for legalizing abortion in the States. Lightweight movie. Raids and legal battles were left out of the film. Sigourney Weaver looked tired and not her feisty self. Questions of morality and legality were left out. And after too many abortions, the story felt cold hearted and abortions were performed almost routinely. Nevertheless, it was a triumph for women who have a right to choose.