Review of Listen to Me

Listen to Me (1989)
8/10
A good movie, A strong message for reflection on abortion.
25 May 2005
This movie is not a cinematographic masterpiece as far as acting or directing. The script, on the other hand, is very good and imposes on us deep moments of reflection. I consider it to be in between "not so good" to excellent depending on the mood I am when I watch it. Yes, I have seen it more than once. I like the fact that the film contains a character building message absent in many mid to late 20th century Hollywood productions. It also does a good job laying out the issues argued in Roe vs Wade, the supreme court decision that "legalized" abortion.

The script develops very well the matters that are central to today's debate between the "Pro-Life" and "Pro-Choice" ideas. It is well argued. I could even say the script is brilliant, although the director did not squeeze its full potential.

The movie depicts, using the theme of a college debate team arguing abortion, the reality that many teenagers may be forced to face too early in life, that of having a baby before being prepared for having one, and of having to make lifetime decision in a just a few weeks without enough understanding of consequences, without enough support and without trusting people who loves them. The movie develops the "character" of the characters very well. It shows them young, passionate and optimists, but at the same time shows them full of doubt, and just beginning to develop sound judgment in their first year of college.

The two main debaters rapidly evolve from superficial and uninvolved, to profound and involved. In the end they are able to perceive the impact that their decisions may have in defining their "character for life", the one they'll see in the mirror and in the moments of reflection for the rest of their life.

A good movie with a strong message for reflection that every teenager going to college should watch! This movie makes clear that protecting life is ultimately everyone's "sacred" responsibility.
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