I thought it was interesting when Ernie kept shouting that it would be murder if the abortion took place. Then again, the film could also be a message for making abortion safe and legal. Or is the question just hanging out there for the audience to decide? I think it was both pro and anti abortion.
Any thoughts out there?
Good topic mike-848. I recently saw this film for the first time, and despite it's age I found it pretty daring...and fair. It definately tipped the scale in both directions equally, and refreshingly for a film of the period, lets the struggle within the individual reign as opposed to a religious or even authoritarian hierarchy.
The three adolescent leads were exceptional. Warren Berlinger was perfect as the devil-on-the-other-shoulder friend who, like so many of our friends at 16 turn out to be a lamb in a wolf suit. Berlinger's charm and charismatic performance was akin to a 1930's musical performance, but he meshed it astonishingly into typical late 50's 'thinking' drama.
Carol Lynley exuded an individualistic and cognizant arc...something most female actors arent afforded even today...and she humanized instead of demonized the image of modern girl for the period. Teenage pregnancy happens...and we Americans tend to forget how young we are as a country. Up to the 20th century, it was a global common for females to be mothers by Janet's age.
Brandon deWilde may have had the single most important line in the film which sums up the confusion and debate of abortion. It was incredibly moving, naive, and truthful in presentation...wrapping up Art's terror of impending fatherhood versus possible ultimate decisionist in the fog: "but it's not a person...it doesn't even have a heart" (paraphrased...I apologize for not remembering the line verbatim). I don't think deWilde was given the credit due for his work here. He seemlessly bridged as a performer the links of death(lack of control...remember his dog?) to life (result of sex without restraint) to decision of life (abortion vs. parental responsibility) without making an acting spectacle of it. Understated, honest, and totally believable.
Not one performance was cardboard. And for being youngsters tackling this somewhat taboo subject at the time and presenting it in a matter-of-fact and genuine execution shows a strong and guiding hand of direction by Philip Dunne.
An intelligent and honest movie with no pointed fingers...just a conscience and desire to cope with a situation already set in motion. It let's us decide.
Very good post . I think this film can be compared to Juno in that it speaks to both sides of the abortion spectrum.
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