I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

I expected this to be your usual block of Christian movie cheese but was pleasantly surprised. Not 10 stars worth but a solid 7. The production values were quite good for a genre that usually looks like your cousin made it with his video camera using a script he wrote and friends from church as actors with maybe a Christian celeb thrown in.The road trip didn't come off well--worst hotel ever? Obviously those kids hadn't left town before. And they didn't seem like real kids, like the writers didn't know what real kids are like. Maybe like they only ever saw photos of college age kids.The sound track drove me bonkers--even though I've listened to my share of CCM, those days are over and those songs and the way they all sound the same are the reason why.The acting is pretty solid, despite a sometimes weak script--as when Hannah runs away from the group. Well, that scene was kind of meh all around.The message wasn't ham-handed, I didn't think. And I thought it was fair to all sides of the abortion issue. Others might not think so, but... I was happy not to be preached at. Some deeper character development from the writers or actors would have really pushed this movie ahead. But I've seen much worse.The depth of the topic held the film together. The most powerful scenes I think were the nurse telling Hannah the story of her birth and Cindy facing that moment of her life alone in her office. As a Christian, I always hope a movie made by Christians will be better than most, and mostly that is not true. October Baby, however, was quite satisfying to experience.

.... 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.

This movie annoyed me for two reasons.The first one is the movie in itself: the script, the acting... it's just not good. The main character is pitiful in more than one way and where drama was supposed to grip me (and let me just say that I am a crier) I just felt awkward about the acting and about the storytelling that wasn't nearly good enough to get me involved.The second reason is that for the most part of the movie I was angry at its clearly pro-life message. It is erroneous and deceiving. It is demeaning to women in general and it makes an effort to seem forgiving when, in fact, it is blaming and judging women who make the incredibly hard decision to have an abortion.So, look, if you're pro-choice, don't come within a 500 meter range of this... err... movie. If you're against abortion, I recommend that you order a better movie to support your cause next time. Madonna's "Papa don't preach" is better structured than this. I guess there's also a conclusion there.Happy movie-watching, everyone!