I found this movie to be excellent. I know mark jean has done little that I would call quality but I found the cast capable. Bancroft is magnificent as Abby and Kimberlee Petersen held her own in those all-important wordless moments. The premise is shaky but this movie is fun and not in a Garbage Pail Kids way. It is refreshing to see representations of children that are not part of the Hollywood cookie-cutter kid characters. Hanna Hall says only a few lines, but they are gems, just like in real life, the quiet folks always say so much more than the talkers. William Greenblatt and O'Brien do very well also. I can only assume that Bonnie Bedelia and Anne Bancroft were worth their collective weight in gold with all these green kids. There efforts paid off in my opinion. I hope you enjoy.
26 Reviews
Great movie!
Tabu35915 November 2002
I don't usually like "sappy" movies, but this one really captured my heart. Kimberlee Peterson's performance as Dicey is phenomenal!! I felt her pain and despair in every facial expression!! I hope she is still working in film.....it would be a shame to waste all that talent!
Wonderful Movie, 9 score of 10
peb78223 October 2002
This movie was so wonderful in so many aspects. I read some of the other comments here and was surprised when some rated it a "bore". Beautifully cast and filmed, it touched my heart. Anne Bancroft has been a favorite of mine since I saw her in 'Night Mother, and she does not dissappoint in this role. I did not know this was based on a book, I'm headed to Amazon to buy it!!
If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out--Your kids will love it too!
If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out--Your kids will love it too!
If you have a soft heart, it's a 'must see'.
mat_sub_zero29 March 2003
I love movies like this, that show how strong & willing parentless children can be to do the right thing, to keep the 'family' together ! Knowing that they are 'just' kids, and trying to find a responsible adult to help raise them (especially the younger ones) was the only choice they had.
If you liked it as much as I did, then you gotta see "Manny & Lo" (with Mary Kay Place) and "A Home Of Our Own" (with Kathy Bates).
I give this movie 3 out of 4 stars. Great cast, excellent plot, but somewhat sluggish.
"Go Anne Bancroft, Go !!"
If you liked it as much as I did, then you gotta see "Manny & Lo" (with Mary Kay Place) and "A Home Of Our Own" (with Kathy Bates).
I give this movie 3 out of 4 stars. Great cast, excellent plot, but somewhat sluggish.
"Go Anne Bancroft, Go !!"
Heart Warming
vinodkumar29 May 2002
Beautiful movie to watch with your whole family.Wish we all had a grandmother and sisters and brothers like that.Must see movie for everybody.Tells us how we should have hope in life and what love and affection is all about between sisters and brother and their grandmother.I always wish I had a sister like Maybeth. She is so sweet.
Very highly emotional
alexaa-313 May 2007
First great performance by entire crew: the acting is real. This movie is one of, not many titles that have gotten me to actually shed tears(alongside Esclava Isuara and Gracie's Choice)Emotions run from the first line to the last,via the theme songs, the settings etc...One particular scene that got me crazed was where Wendy is introduced to the movie: at first you fear its going to end up bad (molestation/rape stuff) but he successfully gets Dicey to thrust him, by relating to her issues...Bref, great movie....Its even more hurting when one realizes that this stuff is actually happening in real life, and not just in the poor second and third world countries, but even in great economies like the US', and the EEU.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
Sweet family flick
HotToastyRag30 September 2020
Even though she gets first billing, you're going to have a long wait before Anne Bancroft shows up in Homecoming. When she does, of course it's worth it. She plays the grandmother of a group of abandoned children, and it takes a while for the children to find her.
Kimberlee Peterson, Trevor O'Brien, William Greenblatt, and Hanna Hall are left by their wayward mother in a parking lot, and they show an enormous amount of resilience as they walk miles and miles in search of a relative to take them in. At first, they try to survive for a couple of days while they wait for their mother to come back, but when they realize the truth, Kimberlee has to act as mother, father, and guide to her younger siblings. She leads them across state lines on foot, does odd jobs at gas station mini-marts so they can afford a carton of milk, and uses abandoned houses' backyards for safe shelter. It's truly remarkable, and it's also a true testament to Hallmark's clean standards that nothing bad ever happened to them on their journey! That's the wonderful thing about watching a Hallmark movie: you know no one's going to harm those kids.
When they finally reach Anne Bancroft, you'll get to see the most beautiful vegetable garden on the planet. I wanted to crawl right into the television and help them pick, pickle, and can cucumbers! Anne is a crusty, cranky old lady on a farm who stays as much of a hermit as she can, and she certainly doesn't have room in her life for four children. But since this is a Hallmark movie, do you think everyone will bond and learn to love each other? If you don't know the answer to that question, you obviously haven't seen enough Hallmark movies. This one's pretty cute, especially because the story's interesting. Plus, Anne has a great feathery hairdo!
Kimberlee Peterson, Trevor O'Brien, William Greenblatt, and Hanna Hall are left by their wayward mother in a parking lot, and they show an enormous amount of resilience as they walk miles and miles in search of a relative to take them in. At first, they try to survive for a couple of days while they wait for their mother to come back, but when they realize the truth, Kimberlee has to act as mother, father, and guide to her younger siblings. She leads them across state lines on foot, does odd jobs at gas station mini-marts so they can afford a carton of milk, and uses abandoned houses' backyards for safe shelter. It's truly remarkable, and it's also a true testament to Hallmark's clean standards that nothing bad ever happened to them on their journey! That's the wonderful thing about watching a Hallmark movie: you know no one's going to harm those kids.
When they finally reach Anne Bancroft, you'll get to see the most beautiful vegetable garden on the planet. I wanted to crawl right into the television and help them pick, pickle, and can cucumbers! Anne is a crusty, cranky old lady on a farm who stays as much of a hermit as she can, and she certainly doesn't have room in her life for four children. But since this is a Hallmark movie, do you think everyone will bond and learn to love each other? If you don't know the answer to that question, you obviously haven't seen enough Hallmark movies. This one's pretty cute, especially because the story's interesting. Plus, Anne has a great feathery hairdo!
A movie that will warm your heart.
LLetsch4817 February 2014
My husband and I just saw this movie. It was heartwarming and sad at times. I loved Anne Bancroft. I never knew too much about her as an actress, but after seeing this movie, I can't help but say that she is a very good actress and knows how to draw you into a movie. The story was great and very well done by the kids. The little boy had this face that would just make you melt. I couldn't get enough of the movie, I didn't want it to end. All the children were fantastic actors, and I believe they felt the parts they played. It's a movie I could watch over and over again. I'm so happy they picked Anne Bancroft to play the part she did. I don't think anyone could have done that part any better or as good. It was a very good movie all around. Love it!!
The book was way much better.
npbrown-116 September 2001
I read the book Homecoming and I loved it,I heard there was also a movie on the book so rented it.I knew the book would be better then the movie but I thought the movie would at least be better then what saw. You could kinda tell that the movie was on a low buget,and they skipped out on all the good parts that were in the book.They mostly show them at their grandmothers house,but in the book that does'nt happen till the end.Sammy was supposed to have blond hair but he has brown hair.
The movie does have its strong points though,it was very well acted .The girl who plays Dicey was awesome.I give this movie 2/4.
The movie does have its strong points though,it was very well acted .The girl who plays Dicey was awesome.I give this movie 2/4.
Best Lifetime Movie. Nuff said.
james_zombie1237 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
So, After reading the book in English Mrs Dye decided to bring the movie and well, I was blown away.
So this movie is based off the book. Now the book is amazing as well as the movie, BUT The movie leaves out an important part when James takes Windy's roommates money. That part is EXTREMELY important. The whole beginning goes by too fast but other than that I was speechless at the end. The acting is Phenomenal and heartwarming. Watch it but read the book before it. I give it ★★★★1/2 ★★★★★. I thought that the storyline was excellent, I thought the acting was WONDERFUL, I thought the character development was amazing, and Gram's acting was just....wow. Definitely Check it out
So this movie is based off the book. Now the book is amazing as well as the movie, BUT The movie leaves out an important part when James takes Windy's roommates money. That part is EXTREMELY important. The whole beginning goes by too fast but other than that I was speechless at the end. The acting is Phenomenal and heartwarming. Watch it but read the book before it. I give it ★★★★1/2 ★★★★★. I thought that the storyline was excellent, I thought the acting was WONDERFUL, I thought the character development was amazing, and Gram's acting was just....wow. Definitely Check it out
Better than expected
skay_baltimore29 December 2022
I had no real expectations when I started watching this film. I'd never heard of it before and just decided to watch it because it was free on YouTube and got decent ratings. One thing is unequivocal -- Anne Bancroft is a world class actress. She can say more with her facial expression(s) than most actresses can say with 1k words.
As for the rest of the film and the cast -- I'd say "okay/better than expected". Kimberlee Peterson.was solid and everybody else was decent enough. Normally I stay away from films with a lot of child actors because it rarely works out well. This film is the exception.
All in all I liked the story, the character development, and the pacing. It had just enough energy and warmth and truth to tick off the important boxes. R. I. P. Ms. Bancroft.
As for the rest of the film and the cast -- I'd say "okay/better than expected". Kimberlee Peterson.was solid and everybody else was decent enough. Normally I stay away from films with a lot of child actors because it rarely works out well. This film is the exception.
All in all I liked the story, the character development, and the pacing. It had just enough energy and warmth and truth to tick off the important boxes. R. I. P. Ms. Bancroft.
RIP Grandma
jutinjustice17 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I still remember the first time when this film aired on the Television, I was 6 years old at that time and my grandma was visiting us for a week or so. I was alone watching TV Switching from channel to another to find something watchable and this film was on and I still that it was at the very beginning when their Mom left them in the car outside the mall.
After a while both my parents and Grandma came to the living room and I started to tell them about the film, so we all sat there and watch the rest of the film together and I still remembering my grandma said to me once while we were watching that (God will not let the big sister down because she didn't let her young brothers and sister down), and that what happened at the end of the film.
What was amazing about this film is its simplicity from the story, directing to the acting ,even the young kids played their parts so natural: I didn't notice that till very recent that the young girls was the same young girl in Forest Gumb 1994 (whom Tom Hanks felt in love with and married)!
I Wish Hallmark would make movies like this one because unfortunately all of they produce lately are Junks with no meanings and actors who can't act!!!
Anyway My Grandmother passed away 4 years ago and every time I watch this film I remember her as it's just yesterday Rest in Peace Grandma.
After a while both my parents and Grandma came to the living room and I started to tell them about the film, so we all sat there and watch the rest of the film together and I still remembering my grandma said to me once while we were watching that (God will not let the big sister down because she didn't let her young brothers and sister down), and that what happened at the end of the film.
What was amazing about this film is its simplicity from the story, directing to the acting ,even the young kids played their parts so natural: I didn't notice that till very recent that the young girls was the same young girl in Forest Gumb 1994 (whom Tom Hanks felt in love with and married)!
I Wish Hallmark would make movies like this one because unfortunately all of they produce lately are Junks with no meanings and actors who can't act!!!
Anyway My Grandmother passed away 4 years ago and every time I watch this film I remember her as it's just yesterday Rest in Peace Grandma.
At grandma's
camnowik9819 April 2014
A touching story of a cranky woman who becomes the caretaker of her own grandchildren. Four orphaned children travel to the East coast to find their grandmother who still lives in the house their mother grew up in. After days of being cantankerous to the kids the woman finally accepts them as her own. Bancroft gives a wonderful performance as a woman who can change from solitary to the gift of extending love to others. The changes the children too experience from being lonely to having it all within reach is miraculous. All the memories of their mother come racing back once in the home. It is especially difficult for them since the mother has been diagnosed as catatonic and institutionalized. Grade C+
Same line as the book
movieguy102116 April 2002
I just read the book Homecoming, and I thought it was OK. I saw the movie Homecoming, and I also thought it was OK. Although it's hard to take a 317-page book into a 105 minute movie, they could have done better with their choices from the book into the movie. They cut too many important details from the book. They just wanted to advertise that Anne Bancroft was in the movie. The movie was heartwarming, but not great. I give Homecoming 5/10
Not usually my cup of tea
moi-238 October 2004
Normally I am wary of feel-good, sentimental films which are sometimes described as "heart-warming" and usually involve children and/or animals but this one came up trumps. It was on at 2a.m., which is a fair indication of the esteem in which it was held by the television station. Frankly it was excellent, it skilfully portrayed the characters and side-stepped what I usually refer to as "mush". The acting of all concerned was excellent (has Anne Bancroft ever turned in a bad performance?) and I enjoyed it thoroughly. While I will continue to avoid this type of scenario this was indeed one out of the box. The children certainly gave Miss Bancroft a run for her money in the acting department but age and experience won out in the end.
Amazingly good.
jewelch9 January 2021
Excellent movie
beachy-384312 May 2020
Finding this movie was an accident. Watching it was wonderful. It introduced me to Kimberlee Petersen who was wonderful. I hope I can find other movies she is in. I see this was on Hallmark Channel. I wish they did good movies like this again instead of the junk they show now.
did a good job of keeping to the book
coolia121219 February 2000
I thought this movie was very similar to the wonderful book by Cynthia Voigt, except that they took out a lot. But they left in all the really important details and some of the same lines, too. Anne Bancroft did a superb job as Gram! I liked the child actors, too, except for James. He didn't act as how I imagined him in the book. I really liked this movie, but you definitely have to read the book first.
To Love & Obey?
California_Girl_20589 August 2015
We very much enjoyed this movie, in search of the kids' grandmother. The grandmother is not your ordinary grandma, to say the least. Each of the four siblings have a interesting character. The brother who likes to read. The little sister who is very quiet. The little boy, Sam is cute and like his grandma in a way. The oldest girl, having to care for her younger siblings, with only $8 and change, until they are out of money. Sleeping outdoors, on the ground. Although, I didn't agree with the grandmother, when she said "when you get married, you promise to love and obey." The grandma didn't realize that there is a chain of command. Therefore, God/Jesus are over the husbands and husbands are over the wives but wives would love God/Jesus more that they would not follow their husbands if it involved sin. For example, if your husband tells you to steal, you don't steal because God tells us not to steal. That is why it's important to read your Bibles (Books of Matthew thru Jude) so you don't make the same kind of mistake the Grandmother did, in this movie. Although the movie was decently clean, so it deserved a 10 from me.
great movie
face off-231 March 1999
I don't like watching original movies that much, I prefer box office movies. But this was a real good movie. It's about some kids being abandoned by their mother and they set off on a journey to find her. They end up at their grandmother's house (they have never met her). Everybody knows their grandmother (Bonnie Bedelia) to be a very cranky woman. She lets them stay with her until she can find them a place to go. Bedelia has several disagreements among the kids. But she eventually takes a liking to them nonetheless. The oldest of the kids, Dicey, begs her to let them live with her. But the grandmother decides she can't raise any more children and sides for her to send them to their aunt's to live with her. By the way, the kids' mom died in the hospital. This is a great movie. If you like drama movies then watch this if you get a chance.
one of the worst movies that I've ever seen
continent23 June 2001
I cannot understand how anyone can like this movie. It is dull, tiresome, and dim-witted. The book alone was terrible, but the movie is even worse. I hated it. The acting is bad, the production is bad, the directing is bad, even the plot is bad. The movie is about four kids who get abandoned by their mother. They don't want to be separated by the police so they decide to go to their Aunts house. The problem is that their Aunt lives far away, and since the kids spent the money that their mother intended to be for the bus ride to the Aunts home on food they have to walk. Will the kids make it? Will their Aunt be there when they arrive? What kind of idiotic trouble will the kids get into? Well if you want to find out, see this movie, but I wouldn't recommend it. One out of Ten.
Good Movie
motocrossgurl21625 November 2002
I read the book in the beginning of the year, because a teacher recommended it to me. Later in the year we watched this in class. Wow all the people really looked like i thought they would. It was an amazing movie. But they edited out some good parts.
The chance that every young actor should dream about.
mark.waltz30 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
If I was a young actor back in my day, I'd be in tears if I was told that I would be co-starring with the legendary Anne Bancroft, and I'd be writing down every piece of advice she (or anyone of her status) had to say. She doesn't pop up until half way through the film, and from there on, the four kids (led by the oldest and wisest, Kimberlee Peterson) seem to be in awe, never forgetting what they are there to do. They are abandoned by their mother in what seems to be a cruel way, but there's a valid reasoning behind it.
After a visit to their older cousin (Bonnie Bedelia) who plans to separate them, they head off to find Bancroft who as it turns out is their material grandmother, although the word is hardly mentioned. They stay on the pretense of helping her on her farm, and she's initially cold. No. Not cold. Frozen. But viewing them going through their daily chores brings out her hidden heart, shown when a sudden letter about her daughter arrives.
Usually films about kids can seem cloying or forced, but these kids are determined to stick together no matter what, and that brings out the best in Bancroft. She's no ordinary curmudgeon, and certainly not crazy like a gossipy, judgmental towns woman tells them. She's filled with so many regrets that have frozen her to a life of a reclusive woman, and as she has individual scenes with all the children occur, an amazing sweet lady is revealed. Little bits of humor lightens things up a bit, and yet never dominates the pathos so the result is a very touching drama, well written and directed, and a modern TV classic.
After a visit to their older cousin (Bonnie Bedelia) who plans to separate them, they head off to find Bancroft who as it turns out is their material grandmother, although the word is hardly mentioned. They stay on the pretense of helping her on her farm, and she's initially cold. No. Not cold. Frozen. But viewing them going through their daily chores brings out her hidden heart, shown when a sudden letter about her daughter arrives.
Usually films about kids can seem cloying or forced, but these kids are determined to stick together no matter what, and that brings out the best in Bancroft. She's no ordinary curmudgeon, and certainly not crazy like a gossipy, judgmental towns woman tells them. She's filled with so many regrets that have frozen her to a life of a reclusive woman, and as she has individual scenes with all the children occur, an amazing sweet lady is revealed. Little bits of humor lightens things up a bit, and yet never dominates the pathos so the result is a very touching drama, well written and directed, and a modern TV classic.
What a Heartfelt Movie!!!
willowjv1 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This had me in tears practically the whole time. The acting of all characters was amazing! It was mean, heart-wrenching, soul-touching, sad, happy and joyful. What those kids went through to find their home was inspiring especially with the oldest child trying to keep them all together. The old cantankerous woman was actually just a very sad, lonely and regretful person who felt that she let her own children down was too scared to try again to help her grandchildren. But all in all in the end it all worked out Wonderfully! Made me want to move in with the old woman myself. This is a movie I will repeatedly want to watch.
Fine film - fine acting by all the cast
mike-94117 September 1999
I always enjoy Ann Bancroft as a great actress. She played her usual great character in this film. Kimberlee Peterson should be seen more often in the future. She played a wonderful part, both as the young girl as well as the protective 'mother' for the family.
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