Mature-looking teenager Alexa Vega (as Gaby Rodriguez) proposes an interesting and unusual research project, during her senior year of high school. Her "A Social Experiment – Attitudes Toward Teen Pregnancy" seeks to document stereotypes about pregnant girls in school. She also wants to prove pregnant girls can succeed as well as others, by graduating high school and going to college. Known as a smart and college-bound student, Ms. Vega decides to pretend she is pregnant. Her mother and principal approve the ruse, and boyfriend Walter Perez (as Jorge) agrees to go along. As expected, Vega is the target of rude and insensitive comments at school. People look only at her fake belly and think she's dumb...
This good story idea is given a very tepid treatment. Although director Norman Buckley and the crew handle the assignment adeptly, Vega never looks or acts like she's really pregnant – her options are never really explored and she appears too old and mature to be convincing in the role. Not sure where this was supposed to take place, but modern schools are much more accommodating of pregnant students, teachers and staff. One role that does work is Vega's honestly pregnant friend Laci J Mailey (as Tyra), who is the most interesting character in the story. In the movie's best scene, Ms. Mailey performs as if she's discovered Vega isn't really pregnant. Of course, she would know. Alas, this promising development ends there.
**** The Pregnancy Project (1/28/12) Norman Buckley ~ Alexa Vega, Walter Perez, Laci J Mailey, Judy Reyes
