Common Sense Media Review
Thrilling, touching adventure for animal lovers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
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Fly Away Home
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say the movie begins with a distressing car accident that may upset some viewers, but it evolves into a heartwarming story about a girl caring for rescued geese. While the film contains mild language and some scary moments, overall it is considered a charming and enjoyable family movie.
- car accident
- heartwarming story
- mild language
- family friendly
- charming film
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In FLY AWAY HOME, 13-year-old Amy must go live with her father Tom (Jeff Daniels), whom she barely knows, in a new country after her mother is killed in a car crash. Amy does not want to be comforted, and wanders silently through the marshes near her new home. When developers illegally mow down the marsh, killing a goose, Amy finds the eggs she left behind, and begins to resolve her loss by mothering the goslings. Since she is the first thing they see when they hatch, they "imprint" her, and think of her as their mother, following her everywhere, even into the shower. The local authorities insist that their wings be clipped, since without their mother they can't learn to migrate and will cause problems for the community when they try to fly. But Amy and her father won't allow the geese to be impaired. Tom and Amy work together to teach the geese how to fly, and then migrate. As they work together, Amy finds a way to begin to heal her loss of her mother and her relationship with Tom.
Is It Any Good?
This film is a thrilling adventure, exquisitely told, by the same director and photographer who made The Black Stallion. Ballard has the patience to let the story tell itself in Fly Away Home, and the quiet moments are breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreakingly touching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why it's so important to Amy to keep the geese wild and free in Fly Away Home. What kind of a life would they have had with their wings clipped?
Families can also talk about the importance of preserving wetlands and their importance as an ecosystem. What's lost if too many wetlands are developed?
How does Amy's cause help her heal after her mother's death?
How do Amy and the other characters in Fly Away Home demonstrate communication, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 1, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : August 7, 2001
- Cast : Anna Paquin , Dana Delany , Jeff Daniels
- Director : Carroll Ballard
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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