WaPo Film Critic: Where's the Abortion?

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WaPo Film Critic: Where's the Abortion?

By Kristen Fyfe | July 16, 2007 - 15:44 ET

Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday wants abortion. In the movies, that is. In her July 15 piece Hornaday complains that two box office successes this summer, “Waitress” and “Knocked Up,” feature main characters that are pregnant. Both are unmarried and less than thrilled with their pregnancies. Both have their babies.

“It’s a setup that has some viewers, especially women who came of age in a post-Roe v. Wade America, wondering just what world these movies are living in.”

Well, Ann, they’re living in the modern day world where the number of out-of-wedlock births among 20- and 30-something women is dramatically up, according to a poll conducted by Pew Research. Just look at Brangelina, if you want to see what that looks like in real life.

Hornaday’s piece basically makes the point that because the word “abortion” isn’t even mentioned, because the characters in these two movies never consider (on screen) the “option” of abortion that somehow the movies are flawed and represent Hollywood’s moral hypocrisy. She cites the evidence for the “moral hypocrisy” in that while the subject of abortion isn’t raised, the characters who find themselves pregnant in these movies should be morally repugnant to the presumably conservative audiences for whom Hollywood has excised the abortion option.

To further the inane argument, Hornaday quotes New York Press film writer Jennifer Merin, who is also the president of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, who says, “I think it’s shocking that the subject of abortion as a choice has been so eliminated from the discussion.” That the topic isn’t “even on the table” supposedly undermines, according to Merin, “anyone’s claim that Hollywood has a liberal agenda.”

Hey, Jennifer. Did you see “Brokeback Mountain?” Hollywood’s liberal agenda hangs on a whole lot more than two pregnant characters, whose very pregnancies are the crux of the movie plots.

For Hornaday, really good movies that deal with abortion include the “fearless” “Citizen Ruth,” described as a “scathingly funny satire about abortion politics.”

Yeah, “abortion” and “funny” go together really well.

Hornaday and other feminist, pro-abortion journalists just can’t fathom a world – the real world – where some people, regardless of marital status, will choose to carry a pregnancy to term. Will choose to give birth the human being growing within them. Will choose life.

Lots of people are doing it, Ann. In the real world and in the movies.

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Are you serious about the

July 17, 2007 - 11:11 ET by SeanSt

Are you serious about the website in your signature? "godhatesfags"? Unless I've completely misunderstood your point of view, that's one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard people say. I hope you have the good sense to stop attaching it to everything you say.

(in reply to truthmonger's post below... sorry for the confusion)

}}}----> Zany Abortionists

July 17, 2007 - 00:12 ET by Cool Arrow

We could Have the Marxist Brothers series

A day at the Abortionist
Fetus Soup
Skull Crackers
Whore's Fetters

Featuring Scrapo, Sucko, Harpoono, and Salto

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

Perhaps God doesn't hate

July 17, 2007 - 18:05 ET by RESTLESS 1

Perhaps God doesn't hate fags, but he hates homosexuality. Look it up.

Well, this didn't pop up in the right. In response the the first post, which apparently wasn't the first post. Dammit, confused again.

A comedy about a woman who ge

July 16, 2007 - 16:35 ET by nnptcgrad

A comedy about a woman who gets an abortion after a one night stand would last what? 5 minutes before the end?

"Oh look! I'm pregnant! Haha."

"Oh look! I'm not pregnant because I got an abortion! Haha."

Real laughs all the time there. Abortion shouldn't be a comedy. It should be thought of seriously and solemly. I would prefer it not to be included as a form of pregnancy prevention in teaching, really.

Mother nature is a bitch - Ninth Corollary of Murphy's Law

Did Hornaday actually see the movie?

July 16, 2007 - 23:39 ET by Scout Finch

Aborthion is "eliminated from the discussion.” That the topic isn’t “even on the table”. What is she talking about? In the movie "Knocked Up", abortion is most certainly discussed. But the main character didn't want one. She chose to keep her baby. That makes Hornaday's comments absolutely incorrect.

Just for once I'd like to see a movie about a girl who becomes pregnant and chooses to put her baby up for adoption and learns to accept her decision. Yeah, it may not make the best comedy, but it could be a sweet, heart-warming drama.

“I think it’s shocking th

July 16, 2007 - 16:37 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love

“I think it’s shocking that the subject of abortion as a choice has been so eliminated from the discussion.”

"Abortion as a choice" to end an unwanted pregnancy...to most people, it's not even considered an option.

When is the left going to start advocating homicide to end an unwanted/inconvenient marriage or relationship?

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson

"Yeah, "abortion&qu

July 16, 2007 - 16:39 ET by vrwc13

"Yeah, "abortion" and "funny" go together really well."

2500 to 3000 more just today...thats not funny. It's sad and in God's wording an "abomination".

There was a similar article i

July 16, 2007 - 16:48 ET by Sorceress17

There was a similar article in the NYT on June 10th. Way to be first off the mark, WaPo!

It's true neither of these movies is about abortion and that's why it didn't come up. It's also true that many women would never consider abortion, no matter the situation.

What I sincerely object to is the characterization that women can't be real, modern women unless they believe all women should have "abortions on demand." That kind of narrow view just serves to polarize the argument, without doing anything to advance either side.

I will state up front, I believe women should have access to safe, legal abortions. I do not believe that any one else in this world, man or woman, has the right to tell me what I can and cannot do with my health or my body. I also believe the pro-life movement tells women they become non-entities as soon as they become pregnant; that they are no longer as important as the baby they are now carrying. I think that kind of belief only serves to make the decision that much more difficult.

Most women agonize over the decision whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. It is not a simple decision, and it is one that will live with the woman for the rest of her life. To believe women cravenly seek abortions as a form of birth control is short-sighted and just ridiculous.

I also think unless you are willing to step up and adopt a child to save it from abortion, you should really shut up about what other people do with their lives. I fully believe you cannot understand a person until you have been in their shoes, and unless you are woman who has had an abortion, I don't believe you have the right to tell others they are wrong to consider it.

And think about this: If men could get pregnant, would we be having this discussion? Or would abortions be as common as lasik surgery?

I understand some of you are going to flame me for stating my opinion. Flame away, I can't stop you. But I will, more than likely, not respond. You are entitled to your opinion, as I am entitled to mine.

And yes, I am generally a staunch conservative. Just not on this issue. When it comes to social issues, I am a bit more libertarian.

You state that a woman

July 17, 2007 - 18:02 ET by RESTLESS 1

You state that a woman should be able to have an abortion, no questions asked. I say that it is not her decision only. The father has rights too. As for the argument that a woman has domain over her own body, agreed, but perhaps women should exercise caution before engaging in sexual activities out of wedlock.

Also, there are many women who use abortion as birth control, not a majority, but many. If you don't believe this, how do you justify the popularity of the "morning after pill"? You probably shouldn't be so militant to the rest of us that may or may not share your opinion. Get off of the high horse and realize that a woman's responsibility to her body does not start after she gets pregnant.

I'm certain that Hornaday wou

July 16, 2007 - 17:18 ET by TE

I'm certain that Hornaday would have an absolute fit if any movie showed an actual abortion, including a partial birth abortion, and also showed the remains of the child killed. Hornaday doesn't want abortion shown or even discussed. She only wants it celebrated without the inconvenient (to her) details.