"Not everybody in this town agrees with what you're doing" Frederic Lehne as the real-life Tom Butterfield keeps hearing, and this young man who was neglected by his own father stepped up to the plate when taking care of trouble juice, becoming foster father to a slew of abandoned children living in a horrible foundling home and basically neglected as well. Over objections by stern social worker Anne Haney, he takes in five boys and with the help of the young and beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer creates the only real home that they've ever known. Of course, there are conflicts among the boys, one feeling like he will no longer be special if there are others around, as well as another who is a complete rebel. While it won't be easy, they strive to make it through the storm.
It becomes very clear as the film goes on that the by the books Haney has come to respect Tom for his diligence even though he has broken the rules by bringing in for additional boys. A powerful scene has her revealing with near tears in her eyes her feelings about Tom's caring. In addition to Haney, there's also Barbara Barrie as a nurse who left the foundling home and has basically volunteered all of her time in helping Lenhe and Pfeiffer.
The film is heartbreaking in spots, particularly concerning the prejudice towards the fact that he has a young black boy staying there, showing the cruelty of bigoted adults, even towards children. The performances by these youngsters are natural, almost as if they just are rather than attempting to act. Lehne is excellent, playing a character who is far from perfect yet a total angel where it really counts. The fact that this is a true story takes away any attempt to manipulate the audience, and it shows that true heroes are nit always those who has hero written on their forehead.
It becomes very clear as the film goes on that the by the books Haney has come to respect Tom for his diligence even though he has broken the rules by bringing in for additional boys. A powerful scene has her revealing with near tears in her eyes her feelings about Tom's caring. In addition to Haney, there's also Barbara Barrie as a nurse who left the foundling home and has basically volunteered all of her time in helping Lenhe and Pfeiffer.
The film is heartbreaking in spots, particularly concerning the prejudice towards the fact that he has a young black boy staying there, showing the cruelty of bigoted adults, even towards children. The performances by these youngsters are natural, almost as if they just are rather than attempting to act. Lehne is excellent, playing a character who is far from perfect yet a total angel where it really counts. The fact that this is a true story takes away any attempt to manipulate the audience, and it shows that true heroes are nit always those who has hero written on their forehead.