FOLLOW THE STARS HOME
Starring: Kimberly Williams, Campbell Scott, Eric Close, Alexa Vega
Original Airdate: 2001
Genre: Drama/Family-in-Crisis/Romance
In this heartbreaking TV-movie, Kimberly Williams must make one of the toughest decisions of her life.
Should she choose to be with Campbell Scott...?
...or Eric Close?
Hmmm.
Campbell is a sweet, caring doctor who is loyal to a fault, there for people when they need him, and kind to children and animals.
Eric is a dashing, adventurous lad who can steer a boat and haul in fish, steal your heart, and seal just about anything with a kiss.
Which of these men should Kimberly choose?
No, Kimberly, it's one or the other.
Kimberly, this is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie! Unless they specifically make a movie called I Have Two Husbands, which they've probably done by now, seeing as how there are about a billion Hall of Fame movies in existence, you don't get to have two husbands. This movie is called Follow the Stars Home.
::SIGH:: I give up!
Okay, Follow the Stars Home does involve Kimberly's character, Dianne, deciding which of these men she wants to be with. And she finally does choose. But the movie is about a lot more than just that. It's about learning to let go, about letting our hearts lead us in the right direction, and the importance of family.
Dianne is a young woman who falls for a handsome man named Mark. They meet, fall in love, get married, and get pregnant. Then they learn the baby has a genetic condition. She'll never be able to walk or talk, and she'll probably live six years at the most. Hubby can't handle this, so he ditches the pregnant Dianne. She's devastated, but she goes ahead with the pregnancy. She wants this baby no matter what.
Mark's brother, David -- who has been Dianne's friend for years and has a secret crush on her -- steps in to help. More than anything he'd like Dianne and the baby (Julia) to become his family, but Dianne still carries a torch for Mark -- even though Mark abandoned her.
Years pass and soon Julia is about five years old. A 12-year-old girl named Amy becomes a mother's helper for Dianne. Amy and little Julia become fast friends, despite their age difference and despite Julia's disabilities (she's in a wheelchair and can't talk; she can only make a few sounds.) They may not be able to converse in English, but Amy and Julia have their own way of communicating -- beyond words. It's as if Amy can read Julia's mind. Dianne is amazed. This is turning out to be one of the happiest summers of their lives.
One fateful day, Mark comes back into Dianne's life. She is thrilled to see him. Before long, he's proposing to her. He wants to start over. What Dianne doesn't know is that Mark and David had a conversation, and David (the doctor) let it slip that Julia will probably only live another six months. So that's why Mark wants Dianne back -- because he knows their not-perfect daughter will be out of the way shortly. Once Dianne figures out his true motivations, she gives him the boot (hurray!) and then realizes she's loved David all along. But she's been distant and crappy toward him for six years -- will he ever forgive her? Is it too late?
Why, it's never too late in Hallmark Hall of Fame movies!
9/24/2007
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