Walter Perez and Alexa Vega in "The Pregnancy Project"; photo  courtesy of Lifetime

“The Pregnancy Project” (Lifetime) 

“The Pregnancy Project” is a Lifetime original movie based on the book THE PREGNANCY PROJECT by Gaby Rodriguez. Rodriguez’ book was based on her true experiences as a high school senior in the state of Washington. As a senior she had to have a senior project. Based on her family’s history and other influences she decided to pretend she was pregnant. This was approved by her school but it led to a bit of controversy.

In the movie Gaby (Alexa Vega) is the product of a home led by a single mother, Juana (Judy Reyes). She had become pregnant as a teenager and her daughter Sonya (Mercedes de la Zerda) also became pregnant while a teenager. Even Gaby’s brother, Javier (Michael Mando), had become a teen age father. So the odds were in favor of Gaby becoming pregnant while in high school.

She and her boyfriend Jorge (Walter Perez) discussed this and vowed it would not happen to them. Still Gaby saw how girls who did become pregnant in High school were treated in a stereotypical way. This is the primary reason she decided to do the project, with the assistance of her mother, Jorge and her best friend Claire (Sarah Myth).

The movie shows the full impact of Gaby’s deception on the students and teachers at her high school. Jorge’s parents are also not in on the fact it is all a lie, nor are any members of Gaby’s family except her mother. It certainly seems this was an extreme measure to make a point and the point Gaby was seeking to make is never clearly explained. It just seems to be one big mess of lies. The fact that members of the school faculty went along with this deception is amazing.

Vega is very good as Gaby. She has grown into being a very beautiful young woman who has acting talent to match. She captures the teen age mindset of how this is the very thing to do, but also shows Gaby’s ignorance in how others will be affected. Vega first drew attention as an actress in the “Spy Kids” series of films.

All of the others in the cast provide strong support for Vega, including Perez, Mando and Reyes. Most outstanding is the ethereal Laci J. Mailey as Tyra, a girl in Gaby’s class who is pregnant and forms a kinship with her.

The movie is entertaining but the message it is sending is unclear. Is teen pregnancy an undesirable status or is it one that should just be accepted? Gaby never seems to figure out the answer to that question.

“The Pregnancy Project” airs on the Lifetime Channel, Saturday, January 28 at 8PM.