October Baby (2011)

The best propaganda is never recognized as propaganda. This is a splendid film, well acted, well produced. But it is a shill for the Pro Life movement. You don't realize that until you sit through the closing credits. For the record, I have no strong feelings about abortion one way or the other. But I do have strong feelings about disguising a political statement as entertainment. They've done it very well. It's a solid tear jerker. There is no preaching. The plot is logical and believable. Rachel Hendrix gives a magnificent performance as Hannah. It's a powerful movie that makes you laugh, cry, get angry and relate. But its raison d'etre is to deliver a loaded political message. As good as it is, the end is strung out far too long with needless new plot developments and too many mushy feel good scenes. I can't say more without creating a spoiler. But it could have ended much more neatly and still delivered the same message if "The End" had been about 15 minutes sooner. Watch it. Enjoy it. Discuss it. Just don't forget it was made not to entertain you but to influence you.

.... because it will reinforce you unbelief. It shows everything that's wrong with Christianity:antiscience; - an as cheesy as possible appeal to cheap sentiment; - paternal dictatorship; - the idea that some pastor can provide instant healing of serious psychological problems; - a whole string of is/ought fallacies.So predictably lots of zealots bleat how life-changing (or whatever) this movies is, while it only confirms their religious biases. If you want to see a honest discussion of Christianity in modern society watch Mercy Streets instead. Franky is wrong. As a left-wing atheist I think everybody should see this. Everyone who can think for him/herself will be put off.

Plot & Conflict: Despite its digressions, "too easies," and other annoyances, this film certainly kept me engrossed, which is the main reason why I give it as high a rating as I do. Hannah's search for her real mother provides excellent tension. There are some good and fairly well-earned surprises too.Cinematography & Settings: Although the stage directions are a bit stilted, a little too picture-perfect, the camera work is professionally done, with good backdrops and bits of scenery.Characterization, acting, & script: Many highs and lows. Rachel Hendrix's performance is a bit lifeless, but John Schneider and Jennifer Price as her foster parents are pretty real, lame dialogue notwithstanding. Foster Dad Jacob's revelation to Hannah (now 19) at the beginning --". . .you were born premature because you are the survivor of a failed abortion"--seems horribly unrealistically blunt and made simply for the purpose of getting the conflict out in the open, but it later coincides with the character of a tough, rather gauche, but ultimately compassionate Baptist doctor. October BABY includes one of Movieland's most totally ludicrous stereotypes ever in the form of "BMAC" the 60s throwback, apparently present simply for comic relief, but it's NOT funny! Some excellent supporting actors, particularly Rodney Clark as the priest.Mood & atmosphere: The most problematical aspect of October BABY. Some reviewers say it made them cry, and while I respect the fact that many people enjoy tear-jerkers, October BABY is no TERMS of ENDEARMENT. The constant soap operatic piano scores and faint schmaltzy theme songs are nothing but distracting, and, since the film also apparently wants to be funny in places, it's often hard to sense how to take certain things. The transitions between light and heavy-hearted are pretty poor.Themes: All the stuff about forgiveness comes through pretty well. Many have complained about the embedded anti-abortion agenda, but that didn't really bother me, and I wouldn't have even noticed it had I not read some reviews before watching October BABY. I chose to ignore the Special Features and Director's Commentary, where a lot of the agenda probably comes out. Problems usually arise when people make films that are intended to carry an underlying moral/religious message, even without being too blatant about it, but viewing this film as a simple story for its own sake, I didn't feel manipulated or preached to.

My wife had been wanting to see this film and it was only in theaters a few days so we rented it. The story was believable as was the acting. I found myself pulled into the story where I really liked some characters and was against others. It deals with real life situations, relationships, and emotions that real people experience... and it was done tastefully and honestly. There were a number of real-life lessons that I walked away with, and it does make you think about real life.Possible Spoiler - I was happy when Jason realized that Alanna wasn't really worth the drama she created; Bmac made me remember myself in high school and college (to some degree); you CAN get cops to give you a break sometimes (personal experience); glad Jacob realized you can't completely control your children (even when you want to)... The biggie was the power of forgiveness! ( I think the priest got it right) I was surprised when it was rated PG-13. I hear more graphic thematic material in TV commercials. I don't recall any language that was vulgar or profane. Also, there were no graphic pictures or scenes. PG-13... Really?I'm sure that given 10X more money, the movie could have been improved technically, but I thought it was great!