by Samuel Nichols, Contributing Writer
Full transparency, I think Elizabeth Banks is talented but has had a limited career. I mostly know her from the Hunger Games franchise, where she does a good job and adds some levity to a very serious story. She’s fine in The Lego Movie and its sequel, and she is funny in her small roles in the Spider-Man and Pitch Perfect franchises. But where things started to go sideway for her was in 2019 when she directed and co-starred in the reboot of Charlie’s Angels. The movie itself is fine, but it really struggled at the box office, only grossing $17 million at the domestic box office against a $48 million budget. It was a big swing that did not turn out well for her, and since then, she has only made some TV appearances. But I think a movie like Call Jane is an excellent vehicle for her to showcase her acting prowess.
Our movie follows Joy (Banks), a pregnant woman living in early 1970s Chicago, who learns that her own medical conditions could kill her during her pregnancy. When her petition to have an abortion is rejected by the hospital board, she turns to a group of women who help coordinate the illegal procedure. Lead by Virginia (Sigourney Weaver), this group calls themselves the Janes. After some persuading by Virginia, Joy eventually joins their ranks and spends much of her time helping less fortunate women through the painful operation. As Joy gets more and more connected to the group, it becomes complicated for her to hide it from her husband Will (Chris Messina), daughter Charlotte (Grace Edwards), and her best friend Lana (Kate Mara) as she becomes more involved. And the legal ramifications of their actions are constantly on the heels of the Janes, giving them real consequences to face.
First of all, credit is due to Banks. In a time when her character was little more than a second class citizen, Banks excellently portrays the qualities needed in a civil rights fighter. She makes this movie work. At moments she both charming, courageous, and inspiring. With such a politically charged story — especially in a year where the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — without her heart-felt performance, the movie could come across as more of a political ad than anything else.
In the supporting ranks, Weaver does very well as Virginia. By no means is it new ground she is covering, but she fills the shoes of a civil rights leader well. Edwards, Messina, and Mara are doing their best with fairly limited parts. Mostly, they are just there to push against Banks. But when Banks is amongst her comrade Janes, their dynamic can be fun and supportive. The scenes when these Janes are problem solving together shows us the capability they have.
Especially in 2022, it is important to share that kind of message. Showing that women are capable matters. On top of this, showing the dangers facing women when they don’t have the access to proper reproductive health care reminds us of the world we live in today. Especially in our country where the right to abortion was just overturned this year. Seeing how these women banded together against a similar oppression should inspire us that systems that mean to keep us down can be overcome. We have that power. Women have that power.
Score: 7/10
Call Jane is currently playing in theaters
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