Back in December of last year, I was watching a Christian television network waiting for a program to start. I turned the TV on a few minutes early and began watching the final segment of the previous show, and was suddenly drawn in as I watched a scene from an upcoming film I had yet to hear of. I looked down and saw at the corner of the screen the logo “Courtesy of OctoberBabyMovie.net.”

 

I’d had only caught the last 20 seconds of the segment, but something about it had drawn me in so powerfully, that I ended up NOT watching the show I had intended on, and ran to the computer to see what this film was all about. I knew within seconds of watching the trailer for Spring 2012’s October Baby that something about this film was different than any other faith-based film I’d ever seen before, and I was right. 

 

The movie was written, produced and directed by Christian filmmakers Jon and Andrew Erwin aka “The Erwin Brothers.” Jon and Andy aren’t strangers to the world of Christian filmmaking as they’ve shot music videos for everyone from Francesca Battistelli to The Afters to Fireflight. Three time Dove Award winners for Short Form Video of the Year (10 time nominees), their most noted work comes in the form of Casting Crowns impacting “Slow Fade” music video.

 

Working as the second unit on the popular film Courageous with fellow brothers/filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, October Baby comes as the brother's first major motion picture release, and does so on a rather unconventional note. How so you might ask?

 

It tackles the issue of abortion.

 

While that might be reason enough to stop you in your tracks and get you to consider buying a ticket to the movie, I encourage you to take the next several minutes to read my thoughts on what has become one of the most powerful films I have even seen.

 

The story is centered around a 19-year-old collage freshman named Hannah Lawson (Rachel Hendrix). Hannah lives a relatively safe lifestyle despite the many medical issues she’s been plagued with since childhood -- medicals issues she’d never really questioned--until the opening night of her freshmen acting debut. While on stage in front of hundreds of audience members, Hannah, unscripted, collapses and suffers a seizure.

 

After weeks of testing, the doctors conclude that all of Hannah’s lifelong ailments, both physical and psychological, are all connected to her “unusual” birth. Unaware of what that means, Hannah’s parents soon tell her the most shocking news of her life: she was adopted after being born at only 22 weeks gestation--the result of a failed abortion.

 

Hannah’s life begins to spiral out of control as she wrestles with the issue of her true identity. Wanting to find her birth mother and get some answers as to who she really is, Hannah sets off on a road trip to Mobile, Alabama with her lifelong best friend, Jason (Jason Berkey) and a cast of quirky characters in an old run-down VW bus. Along the way, not only does Hannah makes some unlikely friends and find some unexpected answers, but more than anything, she begins to discover who she really is.
 

Rachel Hendrix is Hannah in October Baby, a young woman seeking to unravel the mystery of her past.

 

Rachel Hendrix’s portrayal of Hannah in October Baby is nearly flawless. It’s hard for an actress of any style to get the audience to fall on love with their character, but Hendrix, and up-and-coming-actress, does just that on more than one occasion. You’ll laugh with her, you’ll cry for her, and you can’t help but want to cheer her on through the entire film as she sets off on her journey to find herself. 

 

I won’t give away too much of the story, but actress Sheri Rigby’s portrayal of Hannah’s biological mother, Cindy, will leave you absolutely speechless. The story of forgiveness focused on her character will leave you in tears far after the film has ended. Rigby’s story, which almost mimics Cindy’s story in movie, is shared after the film ends while the credits role, and makes you understand the depth of her character far more. I’d encourage you to stick around after the movie to see it.

 

A welcomed sight for the music lovers in the crowd is the acting debut of former American Idol contestant and Christian recording artist, Chris Sligh.

 

Chris plays the wacky character of B-Mac, the mentally “out there” chauffer on Hannah’s journey of self-discovery. What I love about Chris’ role, as well as the character of the sarcastic Truman, was that they brought some light hearted and hilarious moments into the film--much needed after some of the more intense scenes. Chris, who claims who have improved more than half of his lines has a definite future in acting. I hope to see him try his hand at again in the near future.

 

And of course, you can’t have an incredible move without just a touch of romance, can you?

 

The blossoming friendship between Jason and Hannah onscreen is believable due largely in part to the amazing chemistry between Hendrix and Berkeley. In most faith based films I’ve seen, the relationship between a man and a women almost always seems like it’s meant to look fabricated. In this case however, nothing could be farther from the truth. The Erwin’s did a fantastic job of writing a love story that not only captures your emotions, but also, honors God. The purity of Hannah’s character and the respect Jason shows her doesn’t go unnoticed by the filmgoer. You will find yourselves rooting for them the entire movie, watching their story unfold and hoping for their possible fairytale to have a happy ending.

 

As a music reviewer, it was almost impossible for me to ignore the brilliant soundtrack throughout the entire film, featuring songs by The Afters and Chris Sligh, as well as indie artists like Ben Rector and Mandi Maples. The most memorable for me however, came in the form of “Ocean Floor” by singer/songwriter Gianna Jessen. What makes this song special is that it not only plays at the climax of the film, but that Jessen herself was the inspiration behind the film.

 

The survivor of a failed third term saline abortion back in the late 1970’s, Gianna has gone on to become a champion advocate for life, being able to share some of her struggles in front of national audiences around the world, including what she claims to be the “gift” of cerebral palsy due to the failed abortion. What makes her story so powerful is that, much like the moral of the film, Gianna doesn’t preach hatred. She instead goes about the world living life to the fullest, talking about forgiveness and extending the grace of God to all she meets. “Ocean Floor,” speaks of moving past former hurts and onwards towards a brighter future, and couldn’t come at a more perfect time in the film. 
 

Learning she is the adopted survivor of an attempted abortion, Hannah (Rachel Hendrix) turns for support to her best friend from childhood, Jason (Jason Burkey). 

 

Some of the supporting roles in this film not only include a fresh batch of talent rising actors, but veteran performers such as John Schneider (Dukes Of Hazard) and Jasmine Guy (The Cosby Show.) Guy, plays one of the most crucial roles in the film as Mary, a woman who reveals to Hannah the details surrounding her birth. Both seasoned actors play their characters beautifully, Schneider’s role being the most emotion provoking, especially hitting home with any father’s who have daughters of their own.

 

October Baby is filled with twists and turns throughout, the biggest coming mid-way through when the audience learns yet more shocking details regarding Hannah’s birth. As many plot twists as are involved, it never looses you in the details, but rather, draws you into this thought provoking story even deeper. 

 

I’m not one who cares for cinema all too much. I rarely go to the theater and you will most likely never hear me recommend a movie to you. That is unless, it‘s October Baby. This filmed moved me on a profound level that no other film has. I laughed hard, I cried hard, and at times, I was speechless. What I loved about this movie was that it tackled the topic of abortion in a way no one else has, not sugar coating the issue, but not condemning anyone to hell either. Rather than seeing the issue through the eyes of anger, we see it through the eyes of love and mercy, reminding the audience that forgiveness, for themselves and for others, is always within grasp if they’d only choose to take it… just as Jesus freely offers it to us.

Again, rather than looking at this sensitive issue from the side of loss, we look at it from the question of “what if we chose life instead?” It’s a message we as Christians tend to overlook in our post-Roe vs. Wade society. It’s easy to focus on the loss of life, but we need to start being more open to showing others, rather, the beauty of what it looks like to live it. I’d encourage you to invite your pro-choice friends to see this film. While it might not sway their convictions overnight, it should engage healthy discussion, and possibly get to them to start thinking about the sanctity of human life. 

 

October Baby will forever go down as one of the most life altering movies I have ever seen. Deeply moving and largely impacting, I encourage all of you, especially believers, to go out and see this film on opening weekend. Not just to support the work of Christian cinema, but to pay respect to one of it’s finest products to date.