As you can guess from the title, this tv movie centers on a teen girl's accidental pregnancy and how it affects her and her family's life. It has a definite agenda, and even though I am pro-choice, I really liked the way the film's message was put across. Abortion is taken off the table immediately (otherwise it would be a very short movie), but the lead's pregnancy is not portrayed as a blessing. Subtly and overtly, the characters tell the audience that high school girls have no business becoming mothers.
Kirsten Dunst, who was actually fifteen during filming, was very convincing at being in the moment. She never came across as an actress, but instead as a self-focused, very young-minded girl who doesn't understand the magnitude of her life change. She giggles with her on-again, off-again boyfriend when he discusses strollers, takes advantage of her parents pampering her during her convalescence, and tells her mother that she's looking forward to having something of her very own. Kirsten's mother, Park Overall, wears a priceless expression after hearing her daughter's incorrect interpretation of having a baby. First off, the baby is not her very own. The baby's father, Daniel Kountz, is a troublemaker who will be a bad influence and emotionally harm everyone he comes in contact with. Kirsten (and Park, unfortunately) will have to deal with Daniel the rest of their lives. Secondly, if Kirsten wants something of her own to control, she should get a pet. Children are not pets.
I'll cut my rant short and return to the movie. Everyone is affected by Kirsten's mistake. Her best friend, who had a teen pregnancy two years prior, thinks she's too immature for motherhood. Her younger sister is so embarrassed and resentful of her extra attention, she actually moves out of the house to stay with a relative. Kirsten isn't allowed to continue her classes and is taken to a special "teen pregnancy" school. Another young mother visits the class to tell the students what it's actually like to be a mom before driving a car. Her boyfriend who promised to marry her left, she works two minimum-wage jobs and is still broke, her baby exhausts her with endless and unexplained crying, and she knows she'll never get ahead. Everything is discussed: premature babies, defecation during labor, and even death from childbirth.
Fifteen and Pregnant doesn't glamorize anything. It is definitely a cautionary tale, so don't be afraid that if your daughter watches it, she'll think it's a good idea to have unprotected sex with her boyfriend. There are three options when a girl gets into trouble, and while this movie immediately dismisses abortion and adoption, it does a very good job describing the perils of teen pregnancy with intention to keep and raise the child.
Kirsten Dunst, who was actually fifteen during filming, was very convincing at being in the moment. She never came across as an actress, but instead as a self-focused, very young-minded girl who doesn't understand the magnitude of her life change. She giggles with her on-again, off-again boyfriend when he discusses strollers, takes advantage of her parents pampering her during her convalescence, and tells her mother that she's looking forward to having something of her very own. Kirsten's mother, Park Overall, wears a priceless expression after hearing her daughter's incorrect interpretation of having a baby. First off, the baby is not her very own. The baby's father, Daniel Kountz, is a troublemaker who will be a bad influence and emotionally harm everyone he comes in contact with. Kirsten (and Park, unfortunately) will have to deal with Daniel the rest of their lives. Secondly, if Kirsten wants something of her own to control, she should get a pet. Children are not pets.
I'll cut my rant short and return to the movie. Everyone is affected by Kirsten's mistake. Her best friend, who had a teen pregnancy two years prior, thinks she's too immature for motherhood. Her younger sister is so embarrassed and resentful of her extra attention, she actually moves out of the house to stay with a relative. Kirsten isn't allowed to continue her classes and is taken to a special "teen pregnancy" school. Another young mother visits the class to tell the students what it's actually like to be a mom before driving a car. Her boyfriend who promised to marry her left, she works two minimum-wage jobs and is still broke, her baby exhausts her with endless and unexplained crying, and she knows she'll never get ahead. Everything is discussed: premature babies, defecation during labor, and even death from childbirth.
Fifteen and Pregnant doesn't glamorize anything. It is definitely a cautionary tale, so don't be afraid that if your daughter watches it, she'll think it's a good idea to have unprotected sex with her boyfriend. There are three options when a girl gets into trouble, and while this movie immediately dismisses abortion and adoption, it does a very good job describing the perils of teen pregnancy with intention to keep and raise the child.