Voiceless comes out Oct 7 in select theaters.
Reviewed by Kathy Larson.
Voiceless is the story of Jesse Dean, a young war veteran who moves to Philadelphia to start an inner city outreach program at his wife’s home church and feels compelled to protest an abortion clinic across the street from the church. The movie is beautifully shot and well-acted, which makes it a major step up from a lot of Christian movies. Cinematographer Joseph Hennigan deserves a lot of credit for the quality of this film; it really looks beautiful.
The story was an interesting take on the topic of abortion. It’s not from the perspective of a woman struggling with the decision or a woman who has had an abortion, or a woman working in a clinic, or a woman at all. It’s through the perspective of a man who didn’t start out intending to be an activist, but became one. It was very clear that the message of the film was pro-life, and even pro-activist. It definitely felt like the film was telling us to go out there and protest. But what I greatly appreciated about the film is that it didn’t vilify the manager of the abortion clinic. Her character showed us that those on the other side of the issue are just trying to do what they think is right, too. There was a moment where she shared her viewpoint, her heart: “What I wanted is to provide a safe place for women to get the care that they deserve.”
In that same conversation, the manager of the clinic asks Jesse, “What makes someone decide to be a protester, or whatever you call yourself? To take it to that level?” Jesse answered, “I just feel compelled to do it.” And that’s where I think this film makes you think. Makes you wonder. Makes you ask yourself that same question. Do I feel compelled? If so, why? If not, why not?
Many of us would call ourselves pro-life, but it would never occur to us to protest an abortion clinic. After all, we live in a democracy. Abortion is legal. Not everyone believes the same way we do about abortion. This is a land of religious freedom and a woman’s right to choose. So, let them choose what is right for them and me what is right for me. That’s America.
This film says that’s not enough. This film encourages protesting, or as the manager says, “taking it to that level.” What do you think? Is God calling you to do more? If He is calling you to do more, what does that “more” look like? How do we live as believers in a pluralistic society? Is protesting an abortion clinic the best way to share the gospel with our community or is there some other way God is calling us to respond?
It’s a very, very brief moment, but when Jesse gets arrested for his protests, one of the other characters in the film, a member of the church who is passionate about evangelism, but is worried this isn’t the best way to do it says, “We’re supposed to be saving souls, not pushing them away.” The film kind of seems to dismiss his question, but I think it is a really valid one. Does taking part in the ‘culture wars’ in this way actually end up pushing people away from the gospel? How do we weigh that against the precious lives of the children it may save? How do we live as believers in an increasingly secular culture? What ‘battles’ do we choose to ‘fight’ and why and how?
These are very complicated, multi-layered questions to ask ourselves, and something that can’t be easily answered by just watching a movie. I would strongly encourage all of our congregations to use this film and others like it as a discussion starter for your congregations. Don’t just watch the movie and dismiss it because you’re not “the activist type.” Or on the other side, use it as a way to pressure other people to become more of an activist. Use it to stretch your own way of thinking and to ask yourself the hard questions, to discuss in your churches and families and small groups, to ask yourselves how God is calling you to respond.
Kathy Larson is the director of Christian Education and Creative Arts at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C.
Watch the tailer: