Review of If These Walls Could Talk

Introduction

Three stories with different writers and directors looking at the issue of unwanted pregnancies through the 20th Century from 1952 through 1974, and 1996.
This well received TV movie was produced by Demi Moore and the third section stars and was directed by Cher.

1952

A widowed nurse is desperate when she finds out she is pregnant after a foolish one-night stand. Abortion is illegal but she tries everything to get rid of the baby.

1974

A mother of four who has just gone back to college is shocked to discover she is pregnant. She doesn`t want the bay and her newly liberated teenage daughter doesn`t think she should have it.

1996

Pregnant by her married lover a college student opts for an abortion but these are difficult times too and the pro-life campaigners are choosing violence.

Video

The house where all three women live forms the backdrop to each section. The picture is rather dull and lifeless presumably due to being of television quality.

Audio

Not much going on here mainly dialogue based and not exactly sparkling with it. There are three stories and the middle section with Sissy Spacek drags.
There are some excellent performances particularly by a young Ann Heche in `1996` but Cher gives little. There are a few familiar faces from TV and film including Xander Berkeley(George,24) and Matthew Lillard(Shaggy, Scooby Doo)

Features

Confined to a trailer from the Danielle Steele Collection-must rush out and not get that. Also trailers for Two drama/mocumentarys called The 1960`s and The 1970`s-featuring a hairy hippieish looking ex-Slider( Jerry O`Connell).

Conclusion

Despite sounding rather dull and being let down by the low production values of a TV movie and horror, being in full screen ratio, this is a rather worthy attempt to look at the issue of `choice` in abortion. It spans from 1952 when abortions were back street and often botched affairs to the 1990`s when increasing violence from the pro-life lobby in the US meant that choice was once again restricted. It is a timely warning not to take our freedoms for granted.

It`s also not for the fainthearted as there are implied scenes of self-harm that I found it difficult to watch.

As to its intended market -who can say? It`s not a girl`s night in movie. Some of the issues here haven`t affected the UK quite as much particularly the violence of the 90`s but it makes interesting social history and does try to be balanced.