Parents' Guide to

Unexpected

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

So-so drama about pregnant women with very different lives.

Movie R 2015 85 minutes
Unexpected Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Samantha (Cobie Smulders) is a science teacher at an inner city Chicago high school who's trying to land her dream job overseeing a museum's education program. Jasmine (Gail Bean) is her best student, a graduating senior who's hoping to move on to college. Both ae shocked to discover they're facing UNEXPECTED pregnancies, and both must learn how being a mother will affect their lives and their plans.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2):

Strong, authentic performances and great chemistry between the two leads lend the otherwise tame Unexpected some spirit. Smulders and Bean rescue the movie from a straightforward script that doesn't stray from a road well-worn by other films. But rescuing a movie is one thing; elevating it is another task altogether -- and one that's too formidable for Unexpected. The juxtaposition of teacher and student, each having to learn a similar lesson but given different tools and circumstances, is rich fodder, but unfortunately, Unexpected never really lives up to its name.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the differences between Samantha and Jasmine's lives. How are they different, and how are they brought together by their pregnancies? What do they learn from each other?

  • Do you think Unexpected presents an honest look at the challenges faced by new mothers? Do you think those challenges have changed significantly in recent years?

  • Are the main characters role models? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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