Homecoming

I had heard several students mention 'Dicey's Song' as a favorite Accelerated Reader book, and decided to rent this film, which is in the same series. Not only did the kids love 'The Homecoming'--I loved it too!

The story centers around Dicey and her younger brothers and sister. They are abandoned by their mother in a mall parking lot, and struggle to find a place in the world to accept them.

Ann Bancroft, a veteran first-rate actress in every respect, carries the 'heavy' role as the reclusive and often strange grandmother. She dominates the film, and must've been a model of acting excellence to the kids! The children are wonderful too. Each of the four is believeable in character, and convincing in performance.

The strength of 'The Homecoming' (besides Bancroft) is the cinematography. It is wonderfully filmed! Shadow and light, water and mist, camera angle and mood creation--all lift the film well above average for this type genre. 'The Homecoming' owes much to the masterful touch of a director's keen knowlege of children, and New England.

I can't find much to criticize in this film. Other than a six-year-old making an overt (though true) reference to all the children having the same father, and later briefly showing his behind in a rainstorm sequence, the film is safe, true to the author's intent, and expertly crafted.

There are few movies which my seventh-graders ask to borrow. This is one.


Your heart will be broken............then it will be warmed!   December 1, 2001
Rhonda Shelton (Texas)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

"Homecoming" tells the story of four siblings in search of their
grandmother after being abandoned in a mall parking lot by their
mother who suffers from a mental illness. Led by the oldest
sister, Dicey (age 13), the children travel many miles on foot
to a grandmother they have never known. Anne Bancroft does a
fantastic job of portraying a cranky old woman who has forgotten
what it is to love and be loved. The children do a great job of
reminding her. You'll be impressed by these believable
characters and script. Superb acting! You'll never forget this
family!


big sis becomes little mum   June 16, 2007
Michael Eldicott (Cyprus,ex. UK)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Abandoned by their mother, 3 small children have to rely on the fortitude and strength of their older sister (herself but a child). Determined to keep the family together, she avoids the authorities and, virtually penniless, leads her charges on a long walk in search of an aunt they've never seen. The aunt has died, so they continue in quest of a grandmother, who, left bitter and reclusive by a repressive marriage and loss of her children, gives them a less than warm welcome. The children need someone who can provide security, the grandmother needs someone who can provide love and companionship, but can fulfilment of this mutual need stand against her intransigence? Resolution comes in an underplayed scene without dialogue which is more telling than any I've seen in a movie in a long time. The film can't be faulted: story, script, direction, casting and acting are topnotch, with great performances by the child actors and Anne Bancroft (what a natural actress she was). PS: Bonnie Bedelia is almost unrecognisable in her role as the children's spinsterish cousin, a tribute to her performance and the work of makeup/costume dept.


perfect in every way   February 11, 2007
pjf (MD USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Showtime started with a great book and a well adapted script, and then spared no expense. Anne Bancroft is luminous as the crochety grandmother. I didn't recognize Bonnie Bedelia until I saw her name in the credits, she so completely transforms herself to play the querelous cousin and the kids are great. Beautiful locations and sets, and no less than a score by G Snuffy Walden (thirtysomething, West wing). Well worth purchasing, for adults as well as kids, as a wonderful tale of self destination.