‘OCTOBER BABY’ (2011)
Every once in a great while a film, with low expectations (and the subject of ridicule), comes along. Sometimes they’re great, and sometimes they’re not. October Baby embodies qualities of heart and beauty, and the result is as near to perfection as cinema may ever see.
October Baby (2012) Film Review
As the only child of loving parents (John Schneider, Jennifer Price), Hannah (Rachel Hendrix) enjoys a happy childhood. Not even Hannah’s health challenges stop her from being a happy girl. Now as a nineteen-year-old, Hannah’s struggles are not of the body but emotional. Instead of sharing her feelings, Hannah keeps them in a journal. All of this causes her health to again decline and she must go into the hospital. Tests reveal that her many diagnose relate.
‘OCTOBER BABY’ (2011) #moviearchives Share on XWorried that his daughter is on the brink of self-destruction, Jacob breaks the news to Hannah that she’s adopted, but also that she’s the product of a failed abortion. Upset that her father uses and shares her journal with her doctor, Hannah feels betrayed. The one person still waiting to help is her childhood friend, Jason (Jason Burkey). When he invites her to join his friends on their spring break road trip, Hannah takes the chance hoping that a stop along the way will set her heart at ease. october baby
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I cannot recount the number of people in my blog community who praised this little movie. It seems again I’m the last person to see it, only this time, the reason is my theater never shows it. Not unlike, Bella, this is a pro-life message that has a deep, poignant impact; and one we won’t soon forget. It does move slowly, taking its time to reach its pinnacle. Though at the time, it can be hard to watch something like this, .in retrospect, I think that is the only way to tell this kind of story. It should awaken us and break our heart in equal measures. Its crowing jewel is the ability to hook the audience without cheap gimmicks.
Despite her being a newcomer, Rachel Hendrix is good. Being the lead character and the one the audience is asked to sympathize with, it is always a risk to cast a new face, here it pays off. Every scene Rachel is in does nothing but prove this role belongs to her. Likewise, this on-screen father-daughter duo is touching. Schneider and Hendrix have beautiful chemistry and I adore so many of their scenes together. All around, this film is well produced, directed and acted.
Unlike most Hollywood productions, there’s meaning and purpose. The characters are likable though and yet, not everything ties up prettily at the end. Of course, the script does work through everything, and though it leaves you with a smile, it doesn’t mean that all of the sudden everyone’s problems erase. If the entire movie, or most specifically the final fifteen minutes, doesn’t break your heart and inspire you, I don’t know what will. (Pay particular attention to the staircase scene, as well as the last scene.) Even if not every one of us is personally affected by the message of choosing to end a life, the film resonates with just as poignant of a message that life is precious.
Content: there is some mature talk about abortion but nothing graphic. Hannah states she’s never “been” with a guy and awkwardly discusses it with Jason while stomping out of the room they are sharing [he’s on the floor]. Brief implications suggest a teen contemplated suicide though denial is adamant. The film is PG13.
I so want to see this movie… but haven't been able to get my hands on it yet.
I want to see this one too. Especially now that I read your review.
My mom and I got to see a pre-screening of this. I was so impressed. I'm glad you liked it too!
I've heard soo many good things about this movie. I hope I"ll get to watch it soon.
Now I really want to watch this! I followed the blog of the sister of one of the guys making it, so I've been curious about it for quite awhile!
Kellie @ Cherry Coke & Popcorn Movie Reviews
http://www.cherrycokeandpopcorn.blogspot.com
This was a great review! I'm looking forward to seeing this movie, too!
Beautiful review, Rissi! I've heard such great things about this movie, and I want to see it! Hmmm…I wonder if its out in Blockbuster yet?
Natalie – this is SO worth seeing. Hope you can get a copy ASAP. It is one of those movies that breaks your heart but leaves you happy. Love that in a film.
(BTW: I saw Blue Like Jazz. During the entire run-time I was "so-so" about it. It was not my kind of movie though it had promise. Sad.)
Juju – you really must! I thought this was the most beautiful movie I've seen in a looong time – perhaps the best of 2012 even.
Enjoy!
Rosie – color me envious. LOL! That is awesome for you and your mom! I am so glad you had that opportunity because this film would have been worth seeing in theaters.
Impressed is certainly the word for this movie – it impresses on a deeper level. Glad to know you enjoyed it so well also. :-)
Ella – as do I. I think you'll find this a wonderful story to experience. Enjoy.
Long time, no see! You've been missed around here, Ella – hope you come back again soon. :-)
Kellie – that is so neat! I bet it was fun to follow the experience. Yes! You'll have to see this one as it's wonderful in ways most movies never achieve. :-)
Enjoy!
Net Movie Blogger – you'll enjoy it a LOT! It may not have the budget of a blockbuster but 'Baby' has so much heart. That is where it counts.
Thank you for your kind compliment.
Gwendolyn – thanks. More importantly, thank you for reading! (I know this one got long but it deserved every word!)
It should be at Blockbuster by now as it released Tuesday (9/11). Enjoy – it's worth the rental!
Thank you all for your comments – I love hearing from you!
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Hello again, Rissi! Thank you for the sweet reply!
Just wanted to let you and your followers know…
October Baby will be airing on TV in October. GMC will be premiering it on their network on Sunday, October 14th at 7PM, 9PM, and 11PM! Hopefully many of you can catch it then.
I have included it on my Family TV Schedule:
http://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2009/09/family-tv-schedule.html
(Hope it's okay to share the link!)
Have a Blessed Day!
Net
Thanks Rissi! I took a small break from bloggiing from lack of inspiration on what to post,but now I have many ideas.
Net – that is great to know! Thank you. :-)
Sharing links is just fine – I don't mind in the least. Hope the premiere has good numbers. A movie such as this deserves it; that is not to be argued… no matter what mainstream critics say. :-D
Ella – blogging breaks are always good. I usually try to stay off anything social media / computer on the weekends… though mostly, I'll confess, I just keep to that on Sunday. :-)
I do get stretched for new ideas sometimes too but right now, I have so many reviews filed on a thumb drive that I haven't run out of post material – yet. Either way, it's nice to have you back in the blog community and I'll be on the lookout for all those posts!
I just saw this movie and I LOVED it! Honestly, going into it, I thought it might be cheesy/bad acting, but it exceeded all my expectations. It was excellent!
I expected more from it than than bad acting (I'd read so many things to the contrary) but I did wonder about the script. As you say, everything was beyond expectation though! It was really a beautiful movie with a beautiful message. Those are always the best.
Glad to know it has another fan! :-)
I don't know how I missed this one coming out!! (your post…how many more good reviews have I missed???)
I was interested in this movie and I had several friends say it was really good. However I'm disappointed, neither of the library systems in my area have gotten it yet :( I really want to watch it now. Thank you for the review! Sierra
Keep growing beautiful!
*gasp* You've not seen this one yet, Sierra!? It is totally worth the wait but I do hope one of your library's orders it in. Check any rental stores also. I wound up buying a copy but I did see it on the shelf at my local rental store. I really hope you can get a hold of a copy as this is one of the most moving films I've seen. Enjoy – and I'd love to know what you thought!
LOL! Well… if you missed any more reviews / posts around here, I hope you come back and browse. Next week I have some fun things too – or I think so. :-)
I loved this movie so much…
<3
I NEED to get it on DVD!!
As did I, Raquel. It was a tad slow-moving at times but that is a forgivable flaw. You MUST get this one – I skipped the rental part and bought it because I'd read so many good things about it; your thoughts included. :-)
Thanks SO much for stopping by. Your lovely comments are missed.
I'll add it to my to-see list! :) Thanks for the review and recommendation.
It's a great little film, Charity – hope you find it equally touching. :)