Disque Jane

Now more than ever, the topic of this film has become relevant again.

This basically shows part of the fight women had to go through to fet the right to decide over their own body.

And now half a century later (give or take a few years), that right is not just endangered, but seriously threatened again with Roe vs. Wade overturned.

Personally, I always felt that while certainly the opinion of the father (if he is in a relationship with the mother) should be considered, ultimately, this is the woman's body, and she has to decide.

So, this is an important topic, and the film has a good cast, but I can't go higher than 5 stars, because it is just not that good.

Talented actors, but no one is giving their best.

The film fails to hold the suspense and the attention of the viewers.

And I'm sorry to say this, but I have become tired of Elisabeth Banks, even in her comedies, it's always about women fighting against evil and mostly stupid men.

Women are always the better humans.

So even here, when I completely agree with the position of her character, when I'm completely with the message of the film, she actually makes me like the film less.

She has become an actor/director that does nothing but push an agenda, and I find it tiresome.

She had a life threatening pregnancy. But the hospital board turns her down when she needed an emergency abortion. She had limited options. Year 1968, 5 years before the Supreme Court ruled under Roe v Wade decision that the constitution conferred the right to have abortion. She visits a shady clinic, considers falling down the stairs and finally finds a flier near the shady clinic she visits: Call Jane. Inspired by true events, this period drama tells a story of a group of staunch and unapologetic grassroots women activists and their ideology of altruism superseding the judgements. When a woman needs help, the underlying reason is not important. Well made and well acted! Fantastic job by screenwriters Roshan Sethi and Hayley Schore for lightening up the serious subject with some humor and still maintaining its quintessence. In today's context, this seems so timely.

This is based on The Jane Collective, a clandestine group in Chicago between 1969 and 1973. It facilitated an estimated 11,000 illegal but safe abortions. It is not just about empowering women as this concept was introduced just in 1985. Women have fought their battles since ages whether it was for suffrage, education, employment or for something as basic a right as abortion. A great watch.

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.

Elizabeth Banks ("Joy") and her husband "Will" (Chris Messina) are rather joyfully expecting a late arrival into their 1960s family when it transpires that she has an heart condition that her doctor suggests could prove extremely perilous so long as she remains pregnant. Desperate, she turns to "Jane" after reading a billboard that suggested there may be help at hand. $600 and a visit to "Dr. Dean" (Cory Michael Smith) and all may be dealt with? Not if "Virginia" (Sigourney Weaver) has anything to do with it for she is the facilitator of a small group of women determined to help others who find themselves in a similar predicament. Of course it's all illegal - and the film now takes on a frequently darkly humoured trip that sees this initially rather reticent (and innocent) woman realise that more needs to be done, and to take some, frankly, rather innovative and courageous steps so to do. As far as the integrity of the medical science goes, I suspect this is massively over-simplistic, but in light of current events in the United States, it does shine a light on the difficulties families (single or otherwise) have in obtaining adequate and affordable medical care when they are faced with the unpleasant realities of an unwanted pregnancy. There is the odd bit of politicking going on - the prioritisation of victims getting support proving quite a potent source of debate and that, too, does offer food for thought. Banks reminded me of Elizabeth Montgomery from "Bewitched" for much of this; Weaver, though not exactly prominent here, offers a bit of depth and there is a strong effort from both the increasingly bamboozled Messina and from Wunmi Mosaku's "Gwen". It does begin to recycle itself a little towards and ending that didn't make a great deal of sense to me and the conclusion, despite this being over 2 hours long, seemed a bit rushed - but it is still an entertaining piece of cinema with an underpinning message that is probably more relevant now that for many a year.

Some may call this film timely as the issue of abortion is always a hot topic the theme is touchy however no matter how you see or feel about the issue this film "Call Jane" was an interesting drama film to see about a group of determined ladies.

Set back in the 1960's when most abortions were not legal it involved a housewife Joy(the wonderful Elizabeth Banks) who becomes pregnant however her own health is at risk and still her doctor is of no help. So she finds about an underground network a powerful and courage like discreet group of ladies who run a "Call Jane" organization! The group lead by the blunt and brash Virginia(the great Sigourney Weaver) oversees the life and safety of several ladies who want to abort, call it go against the grain as still these ladies are doing what they have to do in a powerful and brave like manner. This picture is a powerful drama with a strong message of courage, and hope as the film is a social showcase of standing up for believes despite not taking moral or political sides. Overall wonderful well done film to watch.