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.

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.

This movie was very moving and personal to me; we have a child who is disabled and I am so grateful that I married a man who can handle it.

This film shows various relationships portrayed in contrast to each other - fascinating study in human nature. The movie left me with a feeling of great love for my family and kind friends, an appreciation for what life gives each of us, and hope for those who need to make changes in their lives for the better. I would HIGHLY recommend this film to everyone - you don't have to have a special needs child to get something from this movie. It really makes you think about life and relationships. July 16, 2008

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 Close). The two begin a whirlwind courtship and marriage, but when Dianne discovers that the baby she is carrying will be born with severe neurological and physical disabilities, Mark walks out, leaving Dianne to raise Julia (Amanda and Caitlin Fein) alone, with only her mother to help her.

Mark's brother David (Campbell Scott), a doctor, offers to help Dianne raise Julia by providing medical checkups and support, and is worried about Dianne's health as sole caretaker. Meanwhile, Amy (Alexa Vega, Spy Kids) a girl from a troubled home, becomes a "mother's helper" to Dianne and her mother.

The rest of the film plays out as a more-or-less formulaic story, with the prerequisite dose of angst, guilt, hospital visits, abusive boyfriends, and self-pity thrown in, before the (anticlimactic) conclusion. However, Dianne fails to fall into the "martyred mother of a handicapped child" camp. I personally know several acquaintances who have handicapped children (one has a daughter with lissencephaly who is nonverbal, cannot sit up, crawl, or roll over, and has multiple seizures every day), and Dianne's steadfast devotion to Julia at the expense of her own health (and occasionally happiness) rings true. It takes a great deal of courage and love to be a lifetime caretaker of a severely handicapped child, and Kimberly Williams' portrayal was one of the best things about the movie.

Mark's role as the now-you-see-him, now-you-don't ex was less successful; his limited dialogue doesn't really allow much in the way of character development, and his subsequent appearances felt forced and unnecessary. David fares better as the loyal "fifth wheel" whose feelings for Dianne are largely ignored throughout most of the movie, yet he still gives his time to help Julia. Stage actress Blair Brown as Hannah, Dianne's mother, brought a degree of strength and wisdom that served as a direct counterpoint to Amy's drunken mother Tess (Roxanne Hart).

Follow the Stars Home is generally family-friendly, with the exception of Tess's physically abusive boyfriend (there is a scene involving animal cruelty as well as physical violence towards a child). However, the slow pace and adult plot will likely bore younger audiences.

Overall, this was a decent enough love story about mothers and daughters, second chances, and learning to trust that should appeal to fans of the original novel, and fits in well with the usual Hallmark Hall of Fame demographic.
May 25, 2008

*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. February 29, 2008

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. January 19, 2008

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 themselves. It is a reminder of the joy that being true to oneself and being of service can bring. December 8, 2007

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