Follow The Stars Home Parent Guide

Young and beautiful Dianne Parker (Kimberly Williams) appears to have a rosy future. Starry-eyed, she eagerly accepts the marriage proposal of energetic Mark McCune (Eric Close), unaware that his quiet pediatrician brother David (Campbell Scott) has romantic feelings towards her as well. The newlywed couple’s dreams soon come crashing down to earth when they learn their unborn baby has genetic abnormalities. The prospects of raising a child that will not be able to walk or talk is too much for Mark to handle, so he favors abortion as a way out. But Dianne is determined to give birth to their infant regardless of any disability. Faced with her final decision, the disillusioned Casanova chooses to sail away on his yacht appropriately called Aphrodite.

Too late to win Dianne’s heart, yet still wanting to help in any way he can, David steps in and volunteers as doctor for his future niece. He watches at a distance as Dianne finds happiness in sacrificing and giving all her love to her daughter Julia (Amanda and Caitlin Fein). To assist Dianne with some of the growing demands of the child’s day-to-day care, David arranges for Amy (Alexa Vega), a young girl from a troubled home, to be a “mother’s helper.” The new job provides the teen with friendship and sanctuary from the turbulent relationship her alcoholic mother has with a live-in beau.

As the characters try to navigate through life’s storms, the consequence of their decisions, whether wise or foolish, are obvious to all but themselves. The adult themes that surface are sure to spark family conversations about many real life issues, including dealing with death. Although alcoholism, abandonment, and domestic violence are not graphically shown, youngsters may be disturbed by the depiction of a puppy being stuffed into a pillowcase and thrown into a river.

Hallmark’s presentation of Follow The Stars Home (based on the novel by Luanne Rice), beautifully illustrates the power and pitfalls of love. Parents can happily let this entertaining drama with a little romance steer a course into their living room.