Angry exchanges ensue. After he learns that a woman who had an abortion at the facility has committed suicide, for instance, Jesse rushes into the building, which has unrealistically ineffective security, heatedly confronting the receptionist at the front desk.

Matters escalate with an incident in which an abortion advocate (John G. Pavelec) turns up with a pistol, threatens everyone, and is killed by the police. Despite the heightened stakes, Jesse perseveres in his efforts, assuring Julia, "This is what God would want."

Viewers committed to the sanctity of human life will sympathize with Jesse's frustration and outrage. Yet, just as the movie centering on him seems unlikely to change the minds of the misguided about this sorrowful topic, so too his approach to the moral horror of legal killing, while admirable for its fervor and persistence, lacks reflection and prayerfulness.

The film contains a scene of gun violence with slight gore and mature themes. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Jensen is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.

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CAPSULE REVIEW

"Voiceless" (ArtAffects)

An overheated tone and characters' questionable tactics in the struggle against abortion undercut the obviously good intentions behind this pro-life drama. A Special Forces veteran (Rusty Joiner) who teaches boxing at an inner-city Philadelphia church's outreach center is dismayed to find an abortion mill operating across the street. Previously uninvolved in the political controversy, but with a personal stake in the issue shared by his wife (Jocelyn Cruz), he works to get his fellow parishioners mobilized to shutter the place. He's opposed by the pastor (James Russo) but supported by a neighbor (Susan Moses) whose husband helped found the church but who has ceased to worship there. Angry confrontations and an armed clash with fatal results ensue. Viewers committed to the sanctity of innocent human life will sympathize with the frustration motivating writer-director Pat Necerato's protagonist. Yet, just as the film centering on him seems unlikely to change the minds of the misguided, so too his approach to the moral horror of legal killing, while admirable for its fervor and persistence, lacks reflection and prayerfulness. A scene of gun violence with slight gore, mature themes. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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CLASSIFICATION

"Voiceless" (ArtAffects) -- Catholic News Service classification, A-III -- adults. Motion Picture Association of America rating, PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.