It’s always haunting to come across a period film that’s easily reflective of today’s culture, or one that serves as a cautionary tale for where current culture might go under similar circumstances. We can categorically state that Call Jane is one of these films.
The film is set in the 1960s and follows Elizabeth Banks‘ character, Joy, as she is forced to choose between terminating a pregnancy for the sake of her well-being and family and continuing with a pregnancy that could kill her. It’s an unenviable situation for any woman, and in an era before Roe v. Wade, she turns to a group of women known as the Janes.
With the recent decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, Call Jane comes at a poignant time in the US, with many citizens concerned about whether Winston Churchill’s words will ring true: “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
Everything we know about Call Jane is listed below.
When Will Call Jane Be Released?
Call Jane is currently making its way through film festivals. It had its world premiere in January at the Sundance Film Festival. The film will be released in theatres nationwide on Friday, October 14. As the fall premiere date approaches, you can check Fandango(opens in the New tab) to see if the film will be available to watch near you.
We’re still waiting for word on a UK premiere. We’ll keep you updated as new information becomes available.
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Who is in the Cast of Call Jane?
As previously stated, actress Elizabeth Banks plays the lead in the film. Banks’ talent is undeniably versatile, having appeared in projects ranging from the Pitch Perfect films to the Hunger Games films, as well as the Emmy-nominated limited series Mrs. America. She was also the host of the game show Press Your Luck.
Oscar nominee Sigourney Weaver co-stars with Banks in the film. Weaver has appeared in blockbuster films such as Alien, Alien: Resurrection, Ghostbusters, and the mega-hit Avatar.
She has also appeared in the Marvel universe as part of the Netflix series The Defenders.
Kate Mara (House of Cards, Pose), Wunmi Mosaku (We Own This City, Loki), and Chris Messina round out the main cast of Call Jane (Gaslit, Birds of Prey).
What is the Story of Call Jane?
The official synopsis of Call Jane is as follows, according to Protagonist Pictures, the production company behind the film:
“Joy (Elizabeth Banks), a typical American housewife in her 60s, is desperate for a second child. The wonderful news of her pregnancy, however, is tainted by the danger it poses to her own life.
She has nowhere to turn until she meets the Janes, an underground group of ordinary women led by Virginia (Sigourney Weaver) who risk everything to give people like Joy options. They save Joy’s life and instill in her a burning desire to help other women take control of their lives.”
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It’s worth noting that the film will be widely released months after HBO Max’s debut of the documentary The Janes, which depicts the true story of a group of women who risked their lives and freedom to assist others with their difficult decision in a pre-Roe v. Wade era in the United States.
Is There a Call Jane Trailer Available?
The trailer alone is enough to make one want to not only watch the film but also to feel compassion for all women who must make such a decision.
Call Jane Reviews
As of August 15, Call Jane had a Rotten Tomatoes(opens in new tab) Tomatometer score of 77% and a Metacritic score of 65.
According to Dwight Brown of The National Newspaper Publishers Association, “the insightful script wisely takes a touchy subject, makes it personal, and centers it around the most unlikely protagonist.”
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Call Jane’s Production
It was announced in October 2020 that Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Mara, and Rupert Friend had been cast in the film Call Jane. Both Elisabeth Moss and Susan Sarandon were originally cast as Joy and Virginia but were forced to leave due to scheduling conflicts.
The film jas began production in Hartford, Connecticut in May 2021, with Wunmi Mosaku joining the previous cast. Chris Messina, Cory Michael Smith, Aida Turturro, Grace Edwards, and Bianca D’Ambrosio joined the cast of the film in May 2021. In this case, the Friend is not attached for an extended period of time.
