Read the plot synopsis and imagine what you think is going to happen based on that set-up. Unless you have never watched an inspirational movie before, what you are imagining is exactly what happens and I just saved you an hour and half of your life. You're welcome. Don't get me wrong, I love a good inspirational movie, even if it's a little predictable, because let's face it, a lot of times they have to be, because the writers often get themselves into a corner where there is literally only one way to have the feel-good happy ending that the genre requires. However, this particular film went a little too heavy on the sugar and a little too skimpy on the sense. The rich woman was the only character with any depth, but she lacked a strong character arc. One moment she was the snobby lady who wasn't happy about moving into this rundown house, the next, she's trying to bond with everybody like they're her long-lost relatives. The point of the movie, as far as I could tell, was supposed to be about that journey, and how these people helped her to grow and change; but that just was not portrayed in a cohesive manner. The film also set up quite a bit of conflict between the foster mom and dad that was never resolved. Plus, when we meet him, he's set up as this no-good lazy bum type of dad, then you turn around and he's suddenly spouting scripture and being a good, Christian guy, then he was burping, goofball dad; and it was just like the writers couldn't make up their mind about what his character should be.
As for the other characters, they were as flat as paint on the wall. The teen that came from juvie turned out to be a big softy. The other teen had a drug problem, because it was a family film, so they didn't want her getting pregnant. The sick kid had an episode and got better. The kid that didn't talk decided to talk by the end of the film. The other kid didn't really have any issues, and was just there for exposition. I know it may seem like I'm being a little too hard on this movie, but if I am, it's only because I feel like it had so much potential. I love the idea behind the film, and I am all for what they were trying to do, which is why I hate the fact that it failed so miserably at being a good film. If you haven't already guessed, I do not plan to watch this movie ever again.
As for the other characters, they were as flat as paint on the wall. The teen that came from juvie turned out to be a big softy. The other teen had a drug problem, because it was a family film, so they didn't want her getting pregnant. The sick kid had an episode and got better. The kid that didn't talk decided to talk by the end of the film. The other kid didn't really have any issues, and was just there for exposition. I know it may seem like I'm being a little too hard on this movie, but if I am, it's only because I feel like it had so much potential. I love the idea behind the film, and I am all for what they were trying to do, which is why I hate the fact that it failed so miserably at being a good film. If you haven't already guessed, I do not plan to watch this movie ever again.