"I don't want it, I don't want it!" screams 16-year-old drop-out Sammi Hanratty (as Jennifer "Jen" Lynne), while giving birth to a healthy daughter. Outside the hospital room, mean mother Alexandra Holden (as Alicia Lynne) taunts nervous father Michael Grant (as Randy Chambers) with his new daddy status. The young man runs away and Ms. Holden tells her daughter she is on her own. Sick of her cry-baby daughter, Ms. Hanratty goes out to a party and gets drunk. Unexpectedly forced to babysit, Holden and handsome step-father Jeff Branson (as Walter) threaten to call Child Protective Services (CPS). It seems like Mr. Grant wants to get back together with Hanratty and the baby, but an incident at the park changes everything...
"Zoe Gone" won't get many viewers with that title – "Zoe" is the baby's name and you can figure out the rest...
The main problem with this drama is the unconvincing character changes give the three main players. Worse off is mother and grandmother Holden, who begins as bullying and cruel – and ends up as nurturing and supportive. Young dad Grant is fine until his very last scene – which may be a problem with the original script direction. The performers try their best. Lastly, the young leading woman must transcend unbelievable changes in character. Hanratty handles it smoothly, but unconvincingly. The film's thesis seems to be pro-adoption – but, it's unlikely many unmarried and unintentionally pregnant young women are going to want to go through this drama – possibly, it's better to view "Zoe Gone" as a heart-warmer for those who choose adoption.
**** Zoe Gone (3/29/14) Conor Allyn ~ Sammi Hanratty, Alexandra Holden, Michael Grant, Jean Louisa Kelly
