Follow The Stars Home (2001)
Dianne Parker (Kimberly Williams) meets and marries the handsome and charismatic Mark McCune (Eric Close), never noticing the quiet attention of his brother, David (Campbell Scott), a soft-spoken pediatrician. Their marriage seems perfect until the birth of their daughter, Julia, a baby with genetic abnormalities. Mark, who can’t face the idea of a less-than-perfect child, walks out, leaving Dianne to confront the challenges of being a single mom. As the years pass, Dianne and her mother, Hannah (Blair Brown), remain selflessly devoted to Julia. David introduces Dianne to a young girl (Alexa Vega) from a troubled home as a “mother’s helper,” and things begin to change. Julia gains a best friend and Dianne finds renewed strength and hope, but David must wait patiently for a chance to reveal his true feelings. In the process, Dianne learns that love is more than what you feel for someone – it’s what you’re willing to give of yourself.
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Tagged with: 2001 • Follow • Home • Stars
Filed under: DVD Movies
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Based on the novel by Luanne Rice, this positive family film deals with some hard issues: abortion, childhood disability, single parenting, grieving the death of a spouse and father, domestic violence, and substance abuse. That doesn’t sound like a great mix for family entertainment, but although realistic, it is tastefully done. It is also is completely clean without swearing and doesn’t dwell on the unhappy scenes. It has some good messages with a happy ending, and all the loose ends are nicely resolved. Probably the main theme of the story is the value of human life, but also that when you truly love someone you are willing to give of yourself.
Dianne Parker (Kimberly Williams) and Mark McCune (Eric Close) marry and are expecting their first child. When they find out that their unborn child will be severely disabled, Mark urges Dianne to have an abortion. She refuses and Mark abandons the family leaving her to be a single parent. Mark’s brother, David (Campbell Scott), is a friend of Dianne’s who has been secretly in love with her since before she was married to his brother. He is conveniently a pediatrician and is a great help to Dianne. Worried for Dianne’s heath because she is overworking herself, he arranges for Amy (Alexa Vega) to work as a mother’s helper over the summer. Amy has a very bad home situation and her mother is an alcoholic. Amy develops a strong friendship with Julia, Dianne’s daughter, to the point where they can almost read each other’s minds.
This movie has superb acting by all the cast, especially young Alexa Vega and Kimberly Williams. Alexa really steals the show! I also noticed that twin girls (Amanda & Caitlin Fein) play the part of Julia. If they are not disabled (and even if they are) they did some pretty good acting. The most disturbing scenes are those that involve Amy’s mother’s abusive boyfriend, especially the one in which he tries to kill Amy’s puppy. It all turns out okay, but parents should be warned that it is pretty frightening. It is also disturbing when Julia has seizures and children may need some explanation before viewing the film. Amy’s mother gets help and we realize by the end that Amy and her mother will have a good future together.
A strong message in the film is the fact that although Julia’s life will be cut short because of her serious medical condition, the 6 years that she has lived are not wasted, that both she and her mother have been changed as the result of her life.
I would strongly recommend this movie, but better get out the Kleenexes before the climax! Oh, and the ending is just so cute.
This is a wonderful movie. It is full of the message of unconditional love. The love that is shown to the medically fragile girl in this picture is fun to watch because it is so sincere and pure. The movie gives one a feeling that no matter how bad it gets in one’s life, there is always hope to see the situation in a better more positive light. This is a story about love, life and relationships. For once, a movie that doesn’t have to have guns and violence to make an impact. I admire Hallmark for that.
This was a great family movie. As the father of a severely autistic child, I appreciate the kindness toward a special child shown in this film, a kindness that should be emulated across the globe.
Campbell Scott puts in a great acting performance in this one!
Jeffrey McAndrew
author of “Our Brown-Eyed Boy”
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Movie
Any of the movies Hallmark puts out are terrific. They always have good stories and there is no filth, violence or sex. Just like the movies of yesteryears.
Based on the novel by Luanne Rice, this positive family film deals with some hard issues: abortion, childhood disability, single parenting, grieving the death of a spouse and father, domestic violence, and substance abuse. That doesn’t sound like a great mix for family entertainment, but although realistic, it is tastefully done. It is also is completely clean without swearing and doesn’t dwell on the unhappy scenes. It has some good messages with a happy ending, and all the loose ends are nicely resolved. Probably the main theme of the story is the value of human life, but also that when you truly love someone you are willing to give of yourself.
Dianne Parker (Kimberly Williams) and Mark McCune (Eric Close) marry and are expecting their first child. When they find out that their unborn child will be severely disabled, Mark urges Dianne to have an abortion. She refuses and Mark abandons the family leaving her to be a single parent. Mark’s brother, David (Campbell Scott), is a friend of Dianne’s who has been secretly in love with her since before she was married to his brother. He is conveniently a pediatrician and is a great help to Dianne. Worried for Dianne’s heath because she is overworking herself, he arranges for Amy (Alexa Vega) to work as a mother’s helper over the summer. Amy has a very bad home situation and her mother is an alcoholic. Amy develops a strong friendship with Julia, Dianne’s daughter, to the point where they can almost read each other’s minds.
This movie has superb acting by all the cast, especially young Alexa Vega and Kimberly Williams. Alexa really steals the show! I also noticed that twin girls (Amanda & Caitlin Fein) play the part of Julia. If they are not disabled (and even if they are) they did some pretty good acting. The most disturbing scenes are those that involve Amy’s mother’s abusive boyfriend, especially the one in which he tries to kill Amy’s puppy. It all turns out okay, but parents should be warned that it is pretty frightening. It is also disturbing when Julia has seizures and children may need some explanation before viewing the film. Amy’s mother gets help and we realize by the end that Amy and her mother will have a good future together.
I would strongly recommend this movie, but better get out the Kleenexes before the climax! Oh, and the ending is just so cute.
Additional note: The DVD is pretty basic and does not have much in the way of additional features.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Follow The Stars Home
I loved this movie. Kimberely Williams is a good actress. The movie makes you cry at certain points and very good at the end.
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than 5 stars
This is a super romantic movie-Shows great love from a mom and real compassion from her brother in law.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good movie!
I like this movie–That’s all that counts. But if I may say a few words of–suggestions, it could have some extra features that other DVD movies normally have.
4.0 out of 5 stars
follow the stars home
this is on first view a film mostly for women,but, i sat through it with my partner and found my self wanting to see it to the end, its a very heart warming story that most…
5.0 out of 5 stars
A moving film about unconditional love
I just finished watching this movie – I cried all through it! I just had to write a review and give my 5 stars.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Formulaic tearjerker, but a heartwarming one
Follow the Stars Home, based on the book of the same name by Luanne Rice, is the story of Dianne (Kimberly Williams), a young woman in love with handsome sailor Mark McCune (Eric…
5.0 out of 5 stars
*Great Movie With A Message!*
A movie for all to see.It really makes you appreciate life.Lets you see to be grateful for everything and not take things for granted.Life is wonderful and can be fulfilling.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonerful
Loved the movie.. I cried, it is a wonderful story of the greatness of love and how life can turn out so different but better than you ever expected.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what the doctor ordered…
This movie has been purchased by my daughters as well as by me. We have had the good fortune to know people who have lived such as this young woman, who have given so much of…