October Baby (9/11/2012)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material.

Starring Rachel Hendrix, Jason Burkey and John Schneider

Directed by Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin

October Baby is an impressive story in a less impressive package.

As the curtain rises, Hannah hesitantly steps onto the stage for her theatrical debut in college. Yet before she can utter her first lines, Hannah-unscripted-collapses in front of the stunned audience. After countless medical tests, all signs point to one underlying factor: Hannah’s difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to what she then learns from her parents: she was actually adopted… after a failed abortion attempt. Bewildered, angered, and confused, Hannah turns for support to Jason, her oldest friend. Encouraged by his adventurous spirit, Hannah joins his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip, embarking on a journey to discover her hidden past… and find hope for her unknown future. In the midst of her incredible journey, Hannah learns that every life is beautiful.

October Baby is another Christian film like Courageous, Fireproof and Facing the Giants. And like those films, October Baby tugs at the heart strings while telling a powerful story. The filmmakers clearly didn’t have a huge budget, but they did the best they could with what they had. And for the most part, the cast was decent.

But also like Courageous, Fire Proof and Facing the Giants, October Baby is on the cheesy side and direction is less than flawless. The cuts are sharp, the music feels out of place and the pace is painfully slow.

Midway through October Baby there’s a scene in which a nurse, played by Jasmine Guy, delivers a lengthy monologue about her participation in a horribly botched abortion. The impassioned speech is clearly the reason for this faith-based film, but it lacks entertainment value and feels more like a lecture than a “story”.

I still think its worth a rental.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Older teens, yes. But the themes of the film are too intense for younger viewers.

Conversation Starter

1. Has anyone ever done anything to you that was really difficult for you to forgive them?
   What was it?


2. Do you remember what the priest told Hannah about forgiveness?


3. Read Colossians 3:13
   
   Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
   
   Sometimes it is hard to forgive others but 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

   According to this verse, is there anything God can’t forgive? So what does that mean when Paul says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you”?



4. Who are some of the people in your life that you need to forgive?


5. What steps can you take this week to start forgiving them?