Blu-ray Review: Overwritten Script Fails Emotional Core of ‘October Baby’

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CHICAGO – “October Baby,” which has generated a bit of controversy as we rarely see widely-released films that preach so directly to the pro-life choir and was recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, is an incredibly frustrating film. Laying the political hot-button issue aside (and, for the sake of disclosure, I feel like I should note that I am strongly pro-choice), there are things to like here, especially the strong performances from Rachel Hendrix and Jasmine Guy. To be honest, it’s the stuff that’s generally unrelated to the emotional/political core of the film — the non-controversial material — that is the film’s downfall. Whether you’re pro-choice or pro-life, the road movie comedy and romantic drama that are shoehorned into this coming-of-age story are the parts that don’t work. When the film does allow Hendrix the emotional arc, she delivers and the tears are jerked.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-ray rating: 2.5/5.0
Rating: 2.5/5.0

Hendrix plays Hannah, a young lady who learns not only that she was adopted but that she is an abortion survivor. Her mother tried to abort her but she lived and she’s had emotional issues in adolescence that have forced her to try and reconcile herself with her past. Time for a road trip! Honestly, my biggest problem with “October Baby” is the set-up of the plot. Hannah fights with her father and flirts with a boy named Jason (Jason Burkey, a dead ringer for Aaron Johnson from some angles) as the film seems to purposefully delay emotional pay-off for unbelievable behavior and a lackluster love story. Hannah, Jason, and some other non-descript friends head off on a road trip to Mardi Gras of all places and they’ll figure out the mystery of Hannah’s birth along the way.

“October Baby” is filled with scenes of teenage life that just don’t feel genuine. The gang gets stuck on a beach. Hannah and Jason struggle with their feelings for each other and refusal to share a hotel bed. They break into an abandoned clinic for no logical reason whatsoever (are there really a lot of clinics that close down and don’t take private medical records with them?) The script for “October Baby” just doesn’t feel genuine despite Hendrix’s best efforts.

And then the movie gets to Jasmine Guy as a the nurse who was there when Hannah was born and the actress delivers such a believable and emotional monologue that one nearly wants to recommend the movie just for her work in it. Sadly, that feeling doesn’t last long as the final scenes push the melodrama and multiple emotional endings to the extreme and one is reminded that politics and subject matter mean nothing if the script simply doesn’t work.

October Baby was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 11, 2012
October Baby was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 11, 2012
Photo credit: Fox

Synopsis:
Poignant performances and genuine emotion illuminate this inspiring coming-of-age story about self-discovery and the healing power of forgiveness. Newcomer Rachel Hendrix stars as Hannah, a college student whose world is shattered when she discovers her parents have kept a life-changing secret from her that will force her to question who she truly is.

Angry and bewildered, Hannah embarks on a road trip with her childhood friend, Jason, to find answers to the questions plaguing her. But when Hannah finally pieces together the puzzle of her past, she uncovers stunning family secrets that will alter the course of her life yet show her the incredible strength and power she possesses to find hope for the future.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary by the Erwin Brothers and the October Baby Family
o October Bloopers
o Deleted Scenes
o Finding Hannah
o Shari’s Story
o Gianna Jensen: The Inspiration
o Singing the Praises of October Baby
o Facebook Q&A with Rachel and Jason
o Every Life is Beautiful
o The Afters “Life is Beautiful” Music Video

“October Baby” stars Rachel Hendrix, Jason Burkey, Jasmine Guy, and John Schneider. It was directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 11, 2012.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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