October Baby on DVD today

Earlier this year I reviewed “October Baby” for On Faith and Media:

“October Baby” tells the fictional story of Hannah  (newcomer Rachel Hendrix), a 19-year old college student who collapses during the performance of a play. In an effort to find out why she is having medical issues and nightmares her parents tell her she is adopted. This overwhelming news sends her and her best friend, Jason, on a road trip to find her real mother.

Along the way Rachel must sort through all kinds of emotional issues especially anger and abandonment.

She tracks down a nurse (Jasmine Guy) who tells her the story of the botched abortion (really, is there any other kind?) that took her twin brother’s life and how Rachel survived.

Rachel finally meets her birth mother and the last few minutes of the film conclude in a way that will make most viewers shed a tear.

“October Baby” is a film with a good heart but it is preachy and heavy on messages. Personally I do not think our young people will want to sit through such a drudgery to get to the final scenes. Christian filmmakers such as Andrew and Jon Erwin who directed, co-produced and co-wrote the film, need to understand story-telling better and trust the audience to “get it.” If it is a good story it will evoke a positive response.

The actors are in dire need of acting school except for veterans Jasmine Gray and John Schneider. The cinematography is good but it cannot make up for a leaden script and delivery.