October Baby” is the story of 19-year-old Hannah (Rachel Hendrix), who survived a botched abortion. It is a small, intimate film. It seems to be loosely based on the stories of real-life abortion survivors’ stories (e.g., Gianna Jessen and Susan Smith). Hannah’s parents never told her about the circumstances of her birth. All she knows is that she has multiple health issues, nightmares and severe low self-esteem. A seizure while she’s acting in a play at her university brings everything to a head. The big revelations to Hannah come early in the film, and she sets out on a journey to resolve her dark issues, with the help of a childhood friend, Jason (Jason Burkey). The surprises and additions to Hannah’s complete story just keep coming in an organic and believable fashion. “October Baby” is certainly about a hard-hitting, unknown aspect of abortion: some babies do survive. But “October Baby” is such a soft sell that it almost feels unsensational, something that might actually serve the film well with regard to a younger audience that eschews earnestness. Anyone who has ever been involved in an abortion in any way will find much to explore and relate to in this compassionate film. The abortion nurse (Jasmine Guy) executes a truly Oscar-worthy monologue. Of course, this was a very difficult film to make because of the intense emotional drama penetrating the story, but at times Hannah’s acting/lines/reactions just do not seem to have enough depth. A shining and unique element to this story is a strong father-daughter relationship, a true thread weaving all through the story. I questioned the parental control Dad had over a 19-year-old, but the story is set in the South, and today’s younger generation does have that close live-at-home, greater-acceptance- of-authority, prolonged adolescence mentality. Also, this is not portrayed as a completely good thing, but as one of the father’s problems. Because of the father-daughter relationship, and for the honest dealings with abortion, I would definitely call this a Theology of the Body film. “October Baby” joins a filmography that shows us what a “civilization of love (and life)” looks like. Human beings are the most social creatures on the planet, and badness and goodness have huge ripple effects out toward all kinds of “strangers.” Everyone is a link, a part of a huge web touching countless other lives at all different points. This is also a great forgiveness movie. Can you imagine something harder than what Hannah has to forgive?