"Like Dandelion Dust" shouldn't work at all, but modern cinema is now so absent of human beings that this low key drama, directed by Jon Gunn, manages to garner praise and accolades.The film tells the fairly familiar story of a young boy, Joey, who is the centre of a bitter custody battle. On one side of the fight we have Joey's poverty, alcoholism and crime stricken genetic parents and on the other we have his wealthy foster parents. Both groups love Joey, but his genetic parents eventually decide that "it's in Joey's best interest" to live with his wealthy, foster parents. Cue much tear-jerking. Though the film removes all the offencive religious overtones of the novel it's based on, other contrivances, rampant stereotyping and dubious social and class implications remain present and unexamined.Maxwell Cotton, who plays Joey, turns in an excellent, naturalistic performance. Mira Sorvino, who plays his foster Mom, is excellent as well. Barry Pepper, who plays Joey's deadbeat but sympathetically portrayed dad, overacts, as has become typical of Pepper. Jon Gunn's script is slight but directed in a agreeably low-key way. He wisely gives several unconventional scenes times to breathe. Like the similar "Kramer vs Kramer", these moments of naturalism can't overcome the film's larger implications.7.9/10 – Worth one viewing.

After reading the Karen Kingsbury novel that the movie 'Like Dandelion Dust' was based on, I was very much looking forward to watching it. However, I was disheartened to see that there was no mention of Christ Jesus at all in the movie. The whole premise of the story in the novel was to show that faith in Jesus and prayer will overcome all odds. Instead, the movie portrayed Christians as righteous and overbearing. And that making wishes on dandelions works better than prayer. The movie also left out a lot of detail that although made it work, I felt that it rushed the story. I understand that when you sell the rights to your novel, the movie producer has the right to change certain aspects of it, but I'm disappointed that Ms. Kingsbury would allow the removal of faith in Christ.On a positive note, I found the acting very good, especially by Mira Sorvino and Cole Hauser and I was impressed with Maxwell Perry Cotton as little Joey Campbell. I had a good cry throughout the movie. Would still recommend to others.

An absolute disaster of a movie. It might be the first time I watched a movie with a above 7* rating on IMDb, and found out it was absolutely terrible. The actors overplay, the dialogue seems to be read out aloud, which is not good, when it contains some of the worst clichés in the history of film making.Besides that the story is so thin and, and you know what will happen next during the entire time.Besides that there is several loops in the story, that makes absolutely no sense: How come Rip goes to jail in 7 years for broking Wendy's arm? How come they apparently haven't talked in that time, but still seems to be in love when he comes out? Who calls their husband/wifes/girlfriends/etc for "Mom" and "Dad" as both couples do? Who spends time on a regular basis with people, that they assumely hate to be together with? And so on and so on.....Just a warning, so you, just like me, have to spend 1,5 hour of wasting your life.

Based upon a famous Christian novel. this film completely perverts the Christian elements of the novel Although well acted, the film makes the Christian sister of the heroine both stupid and rash. The plot device at the end of novel that shows how God is in control is completely ignored by the filmmakers. This film will infuriate any Christians who read the book. Despite good acting from Barry Pepper and Mira Sorvino, the Christian message of the novel: God is in control; is completely ignored. After watching the film, I went and read through the novel because I could not understand how his was considered a Christian film. Well IT IS NOT. If anything it's anti-Christian film. If you see this junk, read the novel, or a least the last half of the book and you will see what I am talking about.