After a resounding success in a limited release, October Baby premiered nationally on Friday. The movie has received strong support from the pro-life community — drawing rave reviews and it received strong support form the public — despite the premier of other top films
Although much of the media focus for the weekend centered on the premier of “The Hunger Games” and second week of “21 Jump Street,” October Baby cracked the top 10 in its first full weekend of release. The pro-life movie received about $1.7 million on only 390 screens for a ninth place finish, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. Had the movie been screened in more locations, it would have done better — as evidenced by its $4,405 per screen haul, the third highest screen average of the weekend.
Although critics have panned the movie, it has scored well at web sites where moviegoers can issue their own ratings. Some of the comments from viewers include:
* “If this were a pro-abort movie, it would be in 50,000 theaters, every newspaper would be giving it twenty stars each, and we would be nearing non-stop commercials about it. And it would lose money hand over fist.”
* “That is pretty successful if you break down the numbers. It basically breaks down to 525 tickets sold this weekend in each of the 390 theaters. I wish them a lot more success and that more theaters show it and it becomes a phenomenon.”
The movie’s overall gross is technically $1.9 million now, because the film was released in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi last year in an effort to support a statewide initiative that would define human life beginning at conception.
Brad Mattes of Life Issues Institute encourages people to see the film.
“I can personally say that October Baby—enthusiastically endorsed by Life Issues Institute—effectively promotes a life-affirming message of love and hope,” he said. “It’s a story of forgiveness, told in a way that demonstrates redemption can come out of past loss and grief resulting from abortion. Often, movies with a good message are well intended but not as professionally produced as they should be. October Baby doesn’t disappoint. It meets the challenge.”
“My hope is that October Baby will be a significant catalyst in educating and engaging others with the fundamental truth that each and every life is valued and cherished, no matter what the circumstances surrounding the birth,” he added. “I believe this film will be pivotal in winning more hearts and minds to the mindset that innocent human life is sacred. Every life matters. I encourage you take your family and friends with you to see it. With the tide changing across the country in favor of life, the film’s timeliness couldn’t have been more perfect.”
October Baby is the coming-of-age story of Hannah Lawson, who at age 19 discovers she was adopted, Her first reaction is anger toward her parents for keeping that secret. Then, against her dad’s approval, she hits the road, determined to find her birth mother. In that search, she uncovers more unsettling secrets, including the fact that she is the survivor of a failed abortion. But that trip also leads her toward hope, meaning, forgiveness and reconciliation.
After learning she was actually adopted—after a failed abortion attempt—Hannah embarks on an incredible journey to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future.
John Schneider of Dukes of Hazard fame and Chris Sligh (American Idol, 2007 season) star in the film, and Dave Johnson (creator of Sue Thomas FBEye and Doc) is the executive producer.
The Dove Foundation awarded October Baby a Family Approval seal and said, “This is a terrific and touching story and this film should be seen by those who recognize the horrors of abortion.”
Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America talked about the movie: “God doesn’t create a meaningless life. He creates every, single life with purpose, — even if we don’t understand that purpose. Sadly, not only does our society take life for granted, it consents to taking the lives of our most innocent and helpless members through the brutal act of abortion. With more than one-third of all childbearing-aged women in the United States having had an abortion, we need to rise up and declare that “Every life is beautiful.”
“That’s why I think you’ll love October Baby, a beautiful, remarkably warm story that has everything — loss … grief … redemption … love — all mixed with moments of genuine laughter,” Nance says. “Please watch the trailer for OCTOBER BABY below. I really think you’re going to want to see movie.”
“And we all know how it works; how much a movie grosses over its theater run makes for great trivia, but the message is sent on opening weekend. October Baby opens in theaters on March 23. Let’s send a message to Hollywood — a message for life,” Nance adds.
If you believe that every life is beautiful and that a beautifully told story can touch hearts—and even save lives—then you will be excited about the impact that October Baby can have when it opens in theaters on March 23.
American Family Studios, a division of the American Family Association, has partnered with Provident Films and Gravitas Productions for the national release.
