Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotionally intense tale about immigration, foster care.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
You Are My Home
What's the Story?
ICE agents arrest and deport a Mexican woman living in the U.S. illegally in YOU ARE MY HOME. Her 11-year-old America-born daughter Alexandra (Eva Ariel Binder) ends up on the street until a kind stranger, Chloe (Angel Parker), brings her to Sloane (Alyssa Milano), a friend who helps immigrants and their kids. With Christmas approaching, group homes are too crowded to take Alex, so Sloane persuades a reluctant Chloe to help care for Alex temporarily. Chloe's traumatized by the recent loss of her husband and young son to a car accident and has been hardened by her tragedy, even drinking a bit too much wine as a result. Alex's optimistic presence brings Chloe back to life, so much so that she takes Alex in permanently and allows the charming and kind Carlos (Cristian de la Fuente) to share her life as well.
Is It Any Good?
On the plus side, You Are My Home has its heart in the right place, offering a humane, generous, and empathetic message reminding us that helping people in need is the right thing to do. But don't expect greatness. This feels as simplistic as a Hallmark TV production, with emotions reliably reduced to unrealistic "goods" and "bads." The script, direction, and performances are also less than stellar. That said, the flaws don't get in the way of some tear-jerking moments, and everything is done just well enough to entertain anyone not looking for too much substance. It's ultimately a holiday movie that will inspire and encourage discussion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how it would feel to have a mother snatched away from an 11-year-old. Can you think of solutions to the problem of illegal immigration to the U.S.?
Why do you think Chloe didn't want to take in a child in need at first? Could you understand her hesitance?
What does the movie say about how to define family? What does "family" mean to you?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 4, 2020
- Cast : Eva Ariel Binder , Angel Parker , Cristian de la Fuente , Alyssa Milano , Joel Steingold
- Director : Amanda Raymond
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 8, 2020
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