Review of October Baby (2011) by David B — 17 Nov 2011

I wish I could write a review about this movie without comparing it to the other Christian movie that came out earlier this year, Courageous. I was skeptical coming into this movie thinking it would be like Courageous (or Fireproof or Facing the Giants for that matter) and be a ham fisted christian message in movie form that the Christian Church would love while Culture at large would hate. I was worried October Baby would look cheap and have unnatural dialogue. I wondered how it would stand as a movie and if, even though it does have a christian message, could it stand as something that was enjoyable to watch and something I feel like I could recommend to my non Christian friends. After having seen it I feel like this movie was everything I wish those other christian movies could/should have been.

This was actually a good movie. Yes it had a christian message but it earned the right to share what it felt at the end of the movie rather than shoving it down our throats all movie long. It portrayed what life is really like. It gave an honest portrayal of real human beings and allowed us to see and experience the same emotions they were experiencing rather than explain every little detail to make sure we understand the message. What I liked about October Baby that other Christian movies fail to understand is that it doesn't presume viewers are stupid. It conveys its message through subtlety. It allows us to figure out the message of whats going on. And because it does that, the message it is trying to give is all the more powerful.

If I have any negative thoughts about the movie they stem not from the story or message but from the fact that this very much felt like an indie movie in both good and bad ways. This was obviously a first time effort for the directors and many people involved and while I do like a lot of what they did, I feel like there is a lot of growth to be had in the style and direction of the movie. Most people won't realize a lot of what I noticed about that and ultimately it isn't really that big of a deal. Since this was their first movie making effort, I feel like there is a lot of potential in these guys and that each subsequent movie they make will be bigger and better than before.

I look forward to seeing the Erwin brothers make movies in the future and I hope that this is the foundation of a great career.