October Baby a must-see movie

By Reverend Ed Hird

How many of you are October babies or have October baby children?  My children’s birthdates are in March, June and November, and I and my wife am born in January and August. So no October babies for us.

                This past month our Deep Cove community was privileged to have the first BC showing of the acclaimed film October Baby.  We were pleasantly surprised by the great interest shown and wide variety of people who turned up for the first viewing.  We anticipate October Baby being shown again on the North Shore.  It has just been released as well in DVD and Blu-Ray edition.  You can obtain your own copy online .

                October Baby is a surprise hit opening at No. 8 against THE HUNGER GAMES and other big-budget movies, although opening on half as many screens.  October Baby ranked No. 3 in per screen average sales. The film earned more than $5.3 million at the box office, appeared on page A-1 of the New York Times and was named amongEntertainment Weekly’s “15 Most Impressive Box Office Performances for 2012.” New York Times called October Baby a ‘quiet hit’.   Film directors and brothers Jon and Andy Erwin have been amazed at the strong response to their film.

                The movie begins with the heroine Hannah hesitantly taking part in her theatrical debut in college. Before her first lines, she collapses. Numerous medical tests all point to one underlying factor: Hannah’s difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to discovering that she was actually adopted  with complications for an early traumatic birth.

Hannah is frustrated and baffled that her medical doctor father never told her that she was adopted.  This cast Hannah into an identity crisis: “My parents are not my parents. I don’t know who I am.  They lied to me. Whom can I trust?”

Hannah goes on a road journey with Jason, her oldest friend.  Her dad was not pleased.  In the midst of her incredible journey to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future, Hannah sees that life can be so much more than what you have planned.  I particularly appreciated the way that Rachel Hendrix played the part of Hannah.  It was engaging, believable and transformative.  My hunch is that Rachel has a great film career ahead of her.

Everytime I have watched October Baby, I found myself weeping.  It is an amazing story of healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.  Hannah was told: “You have the power to forgive, to choose to forgive. Let it go. Hatred is a burden you no longer need to carry. Only in forgiveness can you be free, Hannah…if the Son shall set you free, you will be free indeed.”  October Baby is really a love story with a surprising ending. If I tell you any more, I will spoil the story.

My prayer for the those reading this article is that we will all be reminded that life is beautiful.

Reverend Ed Hird, Rector

St. Simon’s Church North Vancouver

Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada)

http://stsimonschurch.ca

-an article for the October 2012 Deep Cove Crier

-award-winning author of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’

http://www.battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com

p.s. In order to obtain a copy of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’, please send a $18.50 cheque to ‘Ed Hird’, #1008-555 West 28th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7N 2J7. For mailing the book to the USA, please send $20.00 USD.  This can also be done by PAYPAL using the e-mailed_hird@telus.net . Be sure to list your mailing address. The Battle for the Soul of Canada e-book can be obtained for $9.99 CDN/USD.

-Click to download a complimentary PDF copy of the Battle for the Soul study guide :  Seeking God’s Solution for a Spirit-Filled Canada

You can also download the complimentary Leader’s Guide PDF: Battle for the Soul Leaders Guide