My Review Of: October Baby

October Baby

My rating: 5 stars all the way!!!

Synopsis: (from the website, http://octoberbabymovie.net/themovie)    
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 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 finds that life can be so much more than what you have planned.

My Thoughts

This is an extremely well done movie.  There were few, if any, "cheesy" parts, and from the beginning, I could feel myself drawn into Hannah's story (story line = engaging).  It was not a very predictable movie which always kept me wondering what would happen next.  The acting is spectacular - all of the actors and actresses did a very believable job.  The movie is rated PG-13, but mostly for content, there was nothing graphic or disturbing.

I think the movie was made to be sensitive to mothers who have had abortions, and not portray them as "the bad guys".  When I heard that there was a new pro-life movie coming out, I thought it might have more to do with the sadness and horror of abortion.  And while that is in the movie too, there is also a message of forgiveness.

When the movie ended, I was so thankful that this movie has been made.  It is such a beautiful movie with one of the greatest themes of all: every life is beautiful.  God is clearly part of this story.  My favourite part of the movie might just be when Hannah talks to a priest about forgiveness.  Earlier in the movie she wonders if the truth really will make her free...  but because of what Christ did for her, she learns that forgiveness has the power of freedom.

I was thinking of all the things I could write in this review, but none of them are really coming to me right now.  Really, just go and see this movie.  There are will probably be moments when you are laughing and there are moments when you'll want to cry, but I pray you will leave the movie theater touched and changed by the many good points and messages in October Baby.  By the way, make sure you stay for the beginning credits - don't leave right after the movie ends.

One thing that bothered me was the constant dialogue of "real parents".  Hannah's adoptive parents are her family and are her "real parents".  Her birthmother is her biological mother but doesn't have to be labeled her "real mother".  As an adoptee, I'm just sayin'.


It's also kind of strange that Hannah's parents never told her that she was adopted, until her myriad of health problems forced them to reveal this fact as she was a freshman in college.  But, her father later explains they were going through tough times themselves and just didn't know how to explain to her, as she was growing up.


Jason is, of course, the romantic interest of the movie.  He is a faithful friend to Hannah.  When the two have to share a hotel room together, he sleeps on the floor.  (Hannah eventually leaves, feeling uncomfortable).  I think this has been put in the movie to show the value of abstinence and modest, and the fact that it is possible to like someone and still remain pure, even in a very awkward situation.


***Spoiler section***
Throughout the movie, Hannah is in conflict with her parents, especially her father.  However, ***spoiler*** this does end happily in a restored relationship that adds a lot of meaning to the movie.  ***spoiler***  After Hannah's dad realises he has overreacted and misunderstood about Jason, he calls Jason and gives him permission to date Hannah.  
*** End ***


I would say more, but I'm trying not to give away too much of the plot.  

October Baby is a movie that you shouldn't miss!  This is one of my new favourite movies, and I hope all of my girlfriends get a chance to see it!

If you already saw it, what did you think?

If you've already seen and loved it, please promote the movie and tell others about it!  As always, Christian movies need our support, especially on opening weekend and when it's in the theaters.  I would love to see more powerful Christian movies like these in the theaters.

"Klarabelle"