Twelve Mile Road
By Tracy Moore,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Uneven faith-based family melodrama has heavy themes.
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Twelve Mile Road
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What's the Story?
Fed up with her daughter's acting out and bad attitude, divorced mom Angela (Wendy Crewson) sends troubled teen Dulcie (Maggie Grace) to live with dad Stephen (Tom Selleck) on his farm. Soon Dulcie makes friends with Dad's new girlfriend's daughter, Roxanne, learns to help around the farm, and begins to figure out how to give more meaning to her life.
Is It Any Good?
There are moments where the acting is solid, Crewson and Selleck as a divorced couple resonate, and some of the quieter but more authentic moments of life on the farm have a picturesque beauty. But the movie hinges on troubled teen Dulcie, who overacts through the film with tantrums and provocations that are never really explained and that don't seem to fit the quiet thoughtfulness of everyone else in the picture.
Plus, it throws some heavy punches in the maturity department: teen pregnancy, animal cruelty, a newborn's death, a frank discussion of abortion as murder, some evangelism, and profanity throughout. This is more likely to be a hit among Christian families who are looking for a reaffirming message, even if it throws a few curveballs. Likely to spark discussions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Twelve Mile Road's Christian message. What does it seem to be? Does that resonate with you? Why, or why not?
Does Twelve Mile Road portray divorce accurately? Why, or why not?
What are some of the film's messages about family and faith?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: September 28, 2003
- Cast: Tom Selleck, Wendy Crewson, Maggie Grace
- Director: Geoffrey Sax
- Studio: Fox Digital Studios
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, High School, Horses and Farm Animals
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- MPAA explanation: TV-14
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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