Follow the Stars Home (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews

An amazing, heartwarming movie

[TheArgentWolf · 8/10 · 29 December 2007]

I have seen this movie twice now, and think it is so touching and brilliant, it brings tears to my eyes every time. The closeness of Julia and Amy is beautiful, and I find myself crying at the screen at Amy's hardships, and at times, such as when Buddy takes Amy's dog, I can't watch because it's too painful. But that only goes to show how well acted it is.

The performance shown by both Kimberley Williams and Amanda and Caitlin Fein is outstanding, as is Alexa's performance. The bond that develops between Amy and Dianne is also beautiful, and unforgettable.

Seeing this has made me want to read the novel, and I would definitely recommend everyone saw this movie.

unusual storyline

[lutheranchick · 7/10 · 25 January 2006]

This film deals with the unusual subject of bringing up a severely disabled child. Although the plot does get a little convoluted, the film does convey a deeper pro-life message: all life, no matter how short, how precarious, how humble, is worthwhile. This message applies not only to the disabled child, but to the mother who cares for her constantly. The mother's sacrifice is not, as one character states, "six years wasted." Instead, the film tries to give some dignity to people society would like to forget. Unfortunately some of the subplots and flashback techniques can make the film hard to follow at times. I would definitely recommend this film for adolescents and adults-- the subject matter may be too intense for elementary-age viewers.

Sweet and Realistic

[pri_e · 8/10 · 7 December 2001]

I loved Kimberly Williams in "Father of the Bride" and Campbell Scott in "Dying Young" and they were just so cute in this film. I couldn't believe how Mark could walk out on Diane and Julia like that, it was disgusting and it makes you wonder about the real life struggles single mothers face. It was sweet how Dave was always in love with her and stood by her no matter what happened to her and Julia.

Something I reckon if your into feel good movies

I love this movie!

[Ebonyfire · 10/10 · 13 May 2007]

While on the surface this seems like a 'girl marries wrong guy' movie, it truly is so much more. The storyline moves a bit too fast, so you must pay attention...very close attention.

After Dianne and Mark find out their baby will be born with genetic disorders, Mark wants to abort the pregnancy; Dianne refuses - Mark takes off. Evidently Mark has unresolved issues about his mother's death in a hospital - but the movie gives very few details or background, so Mark doesn't generate any sympathy from the viewer.

If only he were more like his brother, David (the excellent Campbell Scott) - the soft-spoken, long-suffering doctor who keeps his love for Dianne to himself while helping her to take care of his niece.

The supporting cast is very good, especially Alexa Vega. The ending is a real tear-jerker (get the tissues ready), and my favorite part of the movie.

Some people don't care for these simple movies about triumphing over adversity, but I think it's wonderful - and you will too.

True and somewhat Heartwarming

[Frogfisher · 18 April 2003]

I just finished seeing this film, and to be honest I just turned in because nothing else was on and it starred Kimberly Williams in a leading role.

I was very surprised how the film got to me, it wasn't artificial Hollywood feelings or the great cinematography as you see it in Sam Mendes and co. great dramatic films. This film just has a lot of great actors, a subtle soundtrack and a great story.

This is definitely one of the best TV-films I've ever seen, that didn't star a mayor Hollywood name or several.

This is the league of In a Class of His Own which I also find quiet good, but this one is a bit better.

The best movie ever... in my opnion!

[Andersioh · 10/10 · 16 March 2002]

Hi, I'm Ander and I'm a 19 year old guy. This movie make me cry at a certain point. I haven't cried over a movie since 'dumbo', when I was about ten years old. But this story just clenched to my heart. It's romantic, sad, happy, beautiful and realistic. And the actors play their roles excellent. If you haven't seen this movie: go see it!! It's so great. I have seen it and I will see it again, and again and again. And so should you. Do not miss it!

Beautiful Movie!!

[babybearlooking4you · 10/10 · 16 May 2007]

I, loved the movie Follow the stars home!! I, give it 10 star's I, thought it was really great!! I, wish I, had it on DVD. Please Hallmark show it again. The movie staring Alex Vaga, is great she's a wonderful actress and she's so good in this movie and all thee other actors and actress in this movie and just as great as her. I, used to work in a daycare center that is designed for school aged children fro Preschool to 12 grade who are disabled and I, really had a great time and really understood them. I, watched this movie and came away with some much more then I, already had. I, really enjoyed this movie allot. Thank you for sharing this wonderful and beautiful movie with us all.

Great Novel Adaption

[badgirl9 · 9/10 · 20 May 2001]

Wow! This movie was just amazing! I went out and bought the book the next day! I couldn't believe a cheesy movie of the week could be this good. The movie is honest, heart warming and truthful about the ignorance of people and the mistakes we make. We not only are left to think "Did Dianne make the right choices in the movie?" but also think "Why would I do in her situation? Should she have had Julia? Would i react the same as her husband did? Is it wrong to date your brother in law? Should Julia's doctor really have been her uncle? What should be done with abusive boyfriends and alcoholics? Great movie! Buy it when Hallmark releases the video!

One of my favorite movies!

[tvgoddess7488 · 16 June 2003]

"Follow the Stars Home" has been added to the list of mu favorite movies. Follow the Stars Home is ABSOLUELY FANTASTIC!! I really didn't expect it to be at first...but as soon as I saw the first half hour, I just wanted to keep on watching.

The cast is extremely good! Kimberly Williams portrayed Diane so well! I loved the storyline...Diane loving Mark, and Mark's brother David loving Diane. The ending was fabulous! (I thought anyways!)

I guarantee you that "Follow the Stars Home" is a movie worth watching!

Follow the Stars Home- Triumph Over Adversity ****

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 16 May 2009]

A marvelous film despite the fact that there is so much going on. A doctor, who never married, should have married his sister-in-law. Instead, she is married to his brother, a nice guy who can't take tragic events. He couldn't visit his dying mother in the hospital when he was 12 and years later, he divorces his wife because she is about to give birth to a very sick child who will not last that long. (Supposedly).

The film shows how the mother and grandmother devoted 6 years to the child. A second plot in beautifully inter-connected with the main theme when an older child takes a summer job to help the mother care for the child. This young lady comes from a broken home, where the mother's boyfriend routinely abuses her mother and creates mayhem.

Imagine the mother taking the young girl to San Francisco to see a play and they're hit by a drunken driver. Her ex-husband comes to the hospital and has it out with his brother and there is some terrific scene in the end when it appeared that the couple would reconcile. This story ended extremely well.

This is definitely a story of triumph defeating adversity.It is extremely well acted. It's great to view despite the tragic circumstances involving all.

Better than an avg Hallmark movie

[maryebobo · 8/10 · 17 August 2019]

Not predictable. Satisfying storyline. Unique twists.

This story is about Diane, a single mother of special needs daughter Julia, who has severe handicaps that render her severely limited and give a very short life expectancy. The movie begins with a dramatic car accident in which Diane (portrayed by Kimberly Williams Paisley) is injured in a terrible accident.

The movie immediately flashes back to Diane's youth and shows how she met and married her husband Mark. They are happy until they learn that Diane is pregnant and before Baby Julia is born, they discover that she is dreadfully ill. Mark unable to cope with this tragedy wants Diane to have an abortion, so they can move on with their lives. He promises her they will have more children, healthier children in the future. When Diane refuses to give Julia up, Mark abandons them both.

As time goes on Diane raises Julia on her own (helped by her mother and Mark's brother David, a pediatrician who has always loved Diane. It's not subtle.) The focus is on Julia's unique life. The good twist arrives in the firm of Amy, a young girl who befriends Julia. Though Julia can't speak or sign, somehow she and Amy are able to communicate. Amy even demonstrates knowledge of old toys she shouldn't know about or exactly how Julia is feeling or what she is wanting. This is very well done.

The film finally catches up to the opening scene where Diane is injured. She is taken to a hospital. Bc she was using an old purse she hadn't carried for years, her ex-husband Mark's card is in the pocket, and oddly enough the number is the same.

The two reconnect as she recovers, and Mark proposes. At first Diane seems ready to take Mark back, but when it becomes clear that he still has no feeling for Julia and that her life holds no value to him, Diane kicks Mark out of their lives for good.

Nearly well again she returns to her life, and at the climax of the movie, Amy reveals to Diane that Julia is grateful for Diane and her life. Despite the difficulties, she's glad to be alive.

In an epilogue type ending, Diane finds love with David (greatest proposal EVER: Marry me and eliminate lower back pain... lol) & the story ends with friends and family gathered together in David and Diane's backyard for a party.

There was no miraculous healing, and this movie did not focus on Julia's death. Rather it portrayed her as wild and fearless and brave. It was the story of a mother who wasn't the victim of her child's illness but simply a mom rooting for her daughter and building a life with her.

Good performances by Kimberly Williams and a young Alexa Delvega. The paving could have been better. All around however, a good show.

Heartwarming and Heartbreaking

[mrsnawahine · 10/10 · 20 June 2001]

This is such an incredible movie. It really makes you grateful for what you have. The cast is incredible and Kimberly Williams plays the part of a grief-sticken, struggling Mother beautifully. Catch it if you can.

Wonderful and one of the best I have seen in a long time!

[malllover13 · 10/10 · 16 June 2003]

This was a wonderful movie!!!! One of the best I have seen in a long time. It was emotional, with a really great story line. In the end it was WONDERFUL becuase everyone ended up wonderfully!

I recomend this movie to anyone and everyone because it has a great message, and it is very entertaining!!!

Simple, pleasant movie shown on the Hallmark channel.

[TxMike · 26 January 2006]

Typical for Hallmark presentations, this rather simple story could have been told in a 30-minutes film short, but was stretched to occupy the 2-hour TV broadcast (with commercials). Kimberly Williams (of Father of the Bride fame) plays Dianne, a single enterprising carpenter in town. During the first 8 minutes of the movie, she meets, falls in love with, marries, and gets pregnant with Mark, the brother of the town doctor David McCune, played ably by Campbell Scott. Then, when clinical tests indicate that the baby will be defective and partially disabled, Mark skips out. So the main of the movie is how Dianne and her support group (mom, friends, Doctor David, etc) deal with the daughter. Alexa Vega, about the same time that she appeared in Spy Kids, plays the young girl who befriends the daughter.

SPOILERS FOLLOW. It is clear from the very beginning that David, the Doctor, had feelings for Dianne and was distraught when his brother met her and quickly swept her away. With untrustworthy brother Mark gone for years, he is able to stay friends with Dianne. When the daughter is about 6 or 7, an accident injures Dianne, and a phone call brings Mark back. He learns that his daughter may only live a few more months, and tries to get his wife back. But she is wise to him, in the end Doctor David proposes and they are destined to be happy together.

Excellent!

[cpalell · 10/10 · 24 September 2020]

This was such a great movie! Highly highly recommend. Acting was superb but then again, I love the cast.

Deeply touching and instructive

[LoveGod-2 · 8/10 · 5 December 2013]

My wife says that she likes deeply touching and tragic films--and I do also. This movie was just that. The theme wasn't superficial or unrealistic. Rather, it touches the heart for probably most viewers could imagine being in such a situation.

Now, a few comments on the contents. First, the movie shows that true love is to be sacrificial. We sacrifice our own wants and wishes and expectations for the benefit of the beloved. This is just what the mother in the movie did. It is a lesson for us.

Second, I found part of the movie to be unrealistic. The mother had the full support of her mother (who even quit her job for the disabled granddaughter). The mother didn't need to work for she stayed home all day with her handicapped child. They lived in a huge house by the beach. I doubt that this would describe more than 1% of mothers of such children.

Third, this was a reminder that only God can give life--and only He has the right to take life. No mere mortal has the option of killing one's baby--whether probing or after birth.

Fourth, since I believe in Biblical morality, I must object to the mother's remarriage. Scripture says that if one divorces her husband on grounds other than his unrepentant adultery, she herself enters an adulterous relationship. As kind, loving, and responsible as the doctor-brother was, there should have been no new marriage.

All in all, we found the movie very touching and a reminder that life is not always pleasant, peaceful, and plenteous. No, tragedy does come and we need to trust God in the most trying of circumstances. I'm glad for the mother's choice to keep her sweet little baby.