Unexpected (2015)

This was a good little film.
Samantha Abbott (Cobie Smulders) is a teacher in an inner city Chicago high school. However, she is taken aback and forced to rethink the path she wants her life to go when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Fortunately, her boyfriend, John (Anders Holt) is incredibly supportive and the two marry quickly. Because her school is closing, and John makes enough money to support both of them, she can become a stay-at-home mom, though she isn't sure if that is what she wants.
Sam finds a friend in the most unexpected place, one of her brightest students, Jasmine Davis (Gail Bean). Despite being on track to attend college, Jasmine is also pregnant and is adamant about keeping the baby. Still, Sam is determined to get Jasmine into the college of her dreams, which also happens to be Sam's alma mater. This is not possible, legitically speaking as Jasmine can't get family housing and she won't leave the baby with her grandmother and only see it on the weekend.
This creates a huge riff but Sam was just upset. She applied for a job at a museum where she would be able to help create the science curriculum for the whole city, but she would need to start just a week after her due date and that is a firm start date. She understands though she is super pissed about being pregnant at that moment. She is just determined for Jasmine to not have her dreams cut short.
But Sam doesn't realize how lucky she is, with a supportive partner who comes to the doctor's appointments with her and is mature enough to handle fatherhood while Jasmine's boyfriend cannot. Sure, Jasmine could have it worse, though her childhood was troubled. Her mother moved from guy to guy and once Jasmine lived without electricity for six months. But at least her boyfriend isn't abusive, a secret fear I had, for some reason.
The film does end on a happy note with Sam attending Jasmine's baby shower and apologizes for her actions. Jasmine accepts this and is horrified when she learns the terrible truth about how much labor hurts.
Though the film is simple enough, I do have some minor issues with it. For example, Jasmine's grandmother is on government assistance but throws a huge baby shower? Something doesn't completely add up. Jasmine doesn't even have her baby by the end of the film and Sam's daughter doesn't get a name.
Fortunately, it does bring up some powerful points, subtly. The performances are also very good and it is realistic enough.  This film has the timeless message, can women find meaning in their own lives outside of motherhood? Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Sam's mother, says that it is a sacrifice either way, going back to work or staying at home with the baby, each one is difficult. But support is needed regardless of the choice. And fortunately, both Sam and Jasmine have a good support system. Grade: B+