I think this movie will be...
Fantastic! I'm a sucker for babies, and I love these kinds of stories. Plus, I think the morality of the 70's will have some pretty interesting takes on a familiar story - the pregnant teen.
Would I Recommend It?
Sure. The movie got a bit boring and preachy, but it was an interesting look into the attitudes of the 70's. And there was a lot of retro stuff to look at, which was like a feast for my eyes.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
The Story
First of all, wow. Sue Ann comes off as super, super young. Which is actually pretty young, seeing as she's only supposed to be 15. Her boyfriend (Chuck) is a track star, and oops, she's pregnant. She tells him and he wants her to get an abortion. She's already 5 months along, so it's too late. The other option (in the 70's) is to get married. They tell their parents and everyone freaks out. So off they go for a quickie marriage. Easy peasey. Chuck backs out at the altar. He's pissed.
Sue Ann gets shipped off to a home. Her mom tells her that she can come home with the baby and they'll just tell everyone they got married but Chuck got really mean and left her. Yeah, I think that's the solution to this problem.
So Sue Ann is at the school for pregnant girls. They learn how to make cookies and they do exercises. They also have some group therapy where they talk about what they're going to do with their babies. Poor girls, they've had some rough lives.
Sue Ann has the baby. It's a girl, she names her Elizabeth. She's not sure whether she wants to keep the baby or give it up. Also, a couple finds out they can't have kids.
Sue Ann goes home with the baby and has to stand up in front of her church while the minister calls her a sinner and tells the congregation that she's repented (!?) and that she's going to keep her baby. That was seriously messed up.
The Durita's (the adoption couple) have waited 4 months for a baby. Still nothing. They might have to wait 4 years because teen moms are deciding to keep their babies.
Things aren't going super well for Sue Ann. The counselor suggests she become emancipated. They plan for when school is back in session.
Sue Ann moves out on her own into a cheap apartment. She has some super sketchy neighbours. She leaves Elizabeth with her neighbour who has a kid, but when she comes home the baby-sitter is strung out on something. Another neighbour tries to rape her. Luckily, her counselor comes and saves the day. She has to find a better place to live.
She goes to live at a home for unwed mothers. She can take care of the baby her way and still go to school. Did these really exist in the 70's? Because they should still exist. Looks supportive.
Sue Ann goes back to a different school. She doesn't tell anyone she has a baby. Things are going OK. She's working, going to therapy, taking care of the baby, making some friends.
Chuck comes back. He agrees to give Sue Ann some money, but he doesn't want to see the baby.
Sue Ann is a bit upset. Elizabeth won't stop crying. So she throws her down in the crib. She's ok, but Sue Ann decides she's going to give up the baby.
The Durita's get the call. They're excited.
A voice over says that 1 in 10 teen girls will get pregnant this year. 80% will decide to keep the baby. For a while, anyway. I wonder what that stat is now?
The stuff that's actually not that bad
- I really like Chuck's car. It's so retro, but I can't tell what it is. Maybe a Charger?
More cheese, please
- Oh, the music. It's SOOOOO 70's. All flutes and stuff. I love it.
- There is a song that I SWEAR was written for this movie...Child with a Child. It sounds like Anne Murray.
Well that's dated
- I love the fashion in this movie, but it's definitely dated.
- The counselor at the school has THE BEST white girl fro EVER.
- Mrs. Durita promises to quit her job when they get the baby. Because mother's can't work in the 70's.
Rating
3.5 pregnant teens out of 5
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