Happening (2021)

★ 7.2 1h 39m 510 votes IMDb

France, 1963. Anne is a bright young student with a promising future ahead of her. But when she falls pregnant, she sees the opportunity to finish her studies and escape the constraints of her social background disappearing. With her final exams fast approaching and her belly growing, Anne resolves to act, even if she has to confront shame and pain, even if she must risk prison to do so.

Happening

Where to Watch

MUBI MUBI Watch
Netflix Netflix
Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video
Disney Plus Disney Plus
HBO Max HBO Max
Max Max
Hulu Hulu
Paramount Plus Paramount Plus
Apple TV Plus Apple TV Plus
Peacock Peacock
Showtime Showtime
Starz Starz

Rent / Buy

Rent

Apple TV Apple TV Rent
Google Play Movies Google Play Movies Rent
Amazon Video Amazon Video Rent
YouTube YouTube Rent
Vudu Vudu Rent
Fandango at Home Fandango at Home

Buy

Apple TV Apple TV Buy
Google Play Movies Google Play Movies Buy
Amazon Video Amazon Video Buy
YouTube YouTube Buy
Vudu Vudu Buy
Fandango at Home Fandango at Home

Audience Reviews

CinemaSerf 6/10 Apr 24, 2022
"Anne" (Anamaria Vartolomei) is a young student studying to be a teacher, when she starts to feel stomach cramps. A visit to the doctor reveals that she is pregnant and the remainder of this drama relates to her decision not to have the baby. That's quite a stance to take in 1960s France where, much like in most of the rest of Europe, abortion is illegal, dangerous - and costly! It was an one-night-stand with "Max" (Julien Frison) that led to her condition, so she goes to visit him to see if he can help, but that's not much use and she finds herself largely alone trying to raise the money needed whilst her natural pre-occupation causes her grades to suffer. Much of the buildup to this autobiographical story is nothing special, to be honest; but for the last twenty minutes it becomes actually quite compelling. It reminded me of Imelda Staunton's excellent "Vera Drake" (2004). Not since then have I seen a film that openly deals with the dangers of backstreet abortions, of the stigma attached to those people who this who saw this as their only practical solution - and Vartolomei delivers her part confidently in what is essentially a strong, single-handed, performance that is quite effective at drawing us into her predicament and at making us think.

Similar Movies