Unexpected
Common Sense says
- R
- 2015
- 85 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Unexpected follows two women with very different backgrounds -- one's a high school teacher and the other is her student -- as they both deal with unexpected pregnancies and the impact that impending motherhood has on their plans and dreams. Expect frank discussions about the challenges faced by new mothers, no matter their situation, as well as moderately frequent swearing (including "s--t" and "f--k"), often by teens. Despite the subject matter, there's not much sexual content; a couple embraces and kisses while undressing each other (nothing graphic shown), and a woman is shown peeing on the toilet while taking a pregnancy test.
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User Reviews
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Great movie!
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?
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
- In theaters: July 24, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: September 29, 2015
- Cast: Cobie Smulders, Elizabeth McGovern, Anders Holm, Gail Bean
- Director: Kris Swanberg
- Studio: The Film Arcade
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship, High School
- Run time: 85 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
Our editors recommend
For kids who love strong female characters
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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