Like Dandelion Dust (2009)
4 out of 5 stars
I found this a difficult drama to watch. I could sympathize with both families. I could empathize to some extent with the gracious biological mother. I can’t say I was completely satisfied with the ending.
I originally wanted to watch this movie to follow Barry Pepper’s acting career (the last film I’d seen him in happened to be the remake of True Grit wherein he reprised the role of Ned Pepper well). His performance as Rip Porter, the stereotypical alcoholic abusive anger management posture child, met my expectations, but paled beside Mira Sorvino’s performance as his wife, Wendy Porter. Her character convincingly portrayed grace, forgiveness, resilience, perseverance and unclouded unconditional love on a scale I can only imagine and probably will never achieve.
The other couple (the affluent Campbells) got less sympathy from me, but that could have been intended by the filmmaker. Or perhaps a result of less convincing performances by Cole Hauser and Kate Levering.
If you’ve ever been in the position, as a woman, and needed to ask and answer the question “Do I abort my baby, or give it up for adoption?” you may find some surprising insights in Like Dandelion Dust.
