UNEXPECTED

UNEXPECTED is a movie streaming on Prime Video about a young married couple who is very much in love, but she wants a baby, and he doesn’t. Unsuccessful with IVF, and both suffering from a mental health crisis, they decide to move to a “fixer-upper” house in the country and rescue animals. Will rescuing animals be enough to fill the void for them?

UNEXPECTED is a funny movie about serious issues. The main characters pray, search for the meaning of their existence, and promote God’s gift of life to the world. However, there is a great deal of adult subject matter, including the topic of contraceptives, the dependence on anti-depressants, and some foul language. Also, the main character contaminates the brownies with marijuana. So, this movie is intended for adults with caution.

Bob and Amy are a young married couple. Bob is a depressed and recently unemployed music critic. Amy is a nurse who wants to have a baby. Bob does not. The IVF treatments fail them. Amy pleads with her husband to adopt. But Bob does not want children and has serious problems of his own. Mainly, he is very depressed. He doesn’t believe in humanity enough to bring new life into the world. Amy thinks it will solve all of their problems.

Amy rashly decides the couple needs to move into a “fixer-upper” in the country and rescue animals to fill the void. The only problem is that Bob is the farthest thing from “handy” around the house, and he is often attacked by a bunny named “Binky” in their first attempt to adopt an animal. Bob sinks further and further into depression. Amy suggests therapy.

Every time Bob goes to therapy, there is a different incompetent therapist with psychological issues of their own. Each therapist continues to increase his dosage of anti-depressants. The couple thinks their problems are solved when their handyperson’s teenage son and girlfriend become pregnant. Amy wants to adopt the baby. Bob resists at first but has a life-changing experience when he stops his therapist from committing suicide. He finds his purpose in life- to take care of others.

When he rushes to tell his wife of his change of heart, she has already gone “bonkers” due to the stress of her situation. He becomes a supportive husband who helps his wife deal with her sadness. The pair decide to open their lives to adopting children. Will this openness save their marriage and help them finally find fulfillment?

UNEXPECTED is a very funny movie about a couple’s existential crisis, who feel they’ve been lied to after doing everything “prescribed” by the culture to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy as if pregnancy is the greatest evil. Once they decide to open themselves up to life-giving, they can’t achieve pregnancy and try to alleviate their sorrow by rescuing animals, which helps Bob open his heart to love and care for others.

The couple realizes that babies are a gift from God. Humans find true fulfillment in our care for others. Bob has a wonderful realization that the best gift we can hand down to the next generation is to be loving

The writing in UNEXPECTED suffers from trying to cover too much time and material, especially in the second half. But this is all mitigated by profound and life-affirming messages, presented with some humor, that ultimately bring hope and joy. Also, outstanding and hilarious performances make this movie a win. Anna Camp is exceptionally bright and dazzles in her role as Amy.