“Unexpected” examines societal privilege in a way that seems to keep eluding the social justice folk of the Internet. While the first third of the film pushes toward familiar territory, Cobie Smulders’ character is challenged by the pregnancy announcement of a high school student. The duo bonds, but Smulders is forced to realize that pregnancy is in fact going to ruin this poor child’s life. The film wants to dance around the fact, but it keeps returning to that point. Cobie Smulders’ entire arc seems trite when compared to a kid that just become doomed to the Inner City like generations before her.
I admire the film for eventually going that route. Too much modern media wants to pay the message that everyone can do whatever they want. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the mechanisms of society function. I still feel that the film gives us way too happy of a resolution, but I don’t want to spoil it. It’s just that if you’re hesitant about the film due to Smulders, she carries the film alongside Gail Bean. The days of Robin Sparkles are long gone.
The Blu-Ray comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is strong for an indie drama/comedy. The 1080p transfer is a little dark at points. But, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track makes the dialogue pop. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to the curious.
Release Date: 9/29/15