All Roads Lead Home DVD

All Roads Lead Home

For twelve-year old Bell life seemed just about perfect. When a tragic car accident takes her mother's life, however, Bell quickly become sullen and withdrawn. After fiercely rebelling against her father, the grieving man sends her to live with her grandfather on his horse farm for a while. Although she despises it at first, life on the farm was exactly what the young girl needed to change her life. All Roads Lead Home is the story of one young girl as she searches for peace and meaning after losing it all. Starring Vivien Cardone as the animal loving Bell, Jason London as Bell's father Cody, and Peter Coyote as the gruff but lovable "grandpa." The award winning film All Roads Lead Home will have you laughing, crying, and remembering what family really is.

Film Synopsis

Young Bell was a firecracker of a girl. Full of spunk, love, and a passion for life that was only matched by that of her two parents. One stormy night, however, was about to change all that forever. When a car accident involving the entire family results in the death of her mother, Bell was heartbroken. As the days passed, however, that broken heart turned into rebellion, sullen actions, and a hatred for her father. In fact, Bell went so far to blame her mother's death on her loving father-- a man still grieving after the unexpected death of his beloved wife. As the film All Roads Lead Home progresses, Cody-- Bell's father-- tries again and again to reach the heard, bitter heart of his young daughter. Finally, however, he realizes she is to angry. Cody decides to send Bell to live with her grandfather Hock on his horse farm for a time. An "attitude adjustment," Hock calls it. At first, Bell finds life on the farm just as miserable, if not worse. Hock's gruff attitude, a result of his own grief, does not help matters. Tough love, it appears, was exactly what the young heroine of All Roads Lead Home needed, however. Soon, Bell, accompanied by her sidekicks of horse and dog, learns to live and laugh again. Fueled by a new passion-- ending animal cruelty-- and a mystery-- figuring out what is the cause of the epidemic killing dogs across the city-- Bell begins to discover life can still go on. It is not until an accident in a rainstorm, however, that Bell, Cody, and Hock discover what family really is.

Forgiveness and Letting Go

Although not expressly a Christian film, All Roads Lead Home has many family friendly, positive elements throughout it. Much of the award winning film centers around two ideas-- forgiveness and letting go. Bell's biggest battle was with forgiveness. She needed to learn how to forgive herself, for failing again and again during the time after her mother's death. She learns how to forgive her father-- for sending her off to her grandfather's home, for (as she sees it) letting her mother down, for failing to save her mother's life. She learns how to forgive her grandfather for his mistreatment of animals, and for his attitude when she first arrived. In All Roads Lead Home, Bell learns an equally important lesson-- how to accept forgiveness. She learns how to accept her father's forgiveness after she unjustly accuses him of killing her mother. She learns to accept his forgiveness for her nasty words and actions following her mother's death. She learns to accept the forgiveness of her grandfather after she pulls his farm down around his ears. Viewers will learn from watching All Roads Lead Home that being willing to accept forgiveness is just as important as giving forgiveness. Another valuable lesson Bell learns in All Roads Lead Home is that sometimes you have to be willing to let go of the past in order to face the future. For Bell, the tragic night she lost her mother kept her back from healing and loving again. She was unwilling to move on from her past, and so she was unable to move into her future. As a family viewers can talk about God's perspective on the same concept. How sometimes he calls us to let go of our past mistakes, our past fears, failures, or joys in order for him to give us a new season, hope, or blessing. From Bell's example, viewers will learn that sometimes we have to let go of the past in order for God to use us in the future.

Compassion

Compassion is another strong theme throughout the film All Roads Lead Home. One of the plot lines involves animal euthanasia, and cruelty-- both of which Bell fights (against mighty odds) to end. The compassion Bell shows for animals is ultimately what reminds her that people deserve just as much compassion. As viewers watch Bell in All Roads Lead Home they will be reminded of the Biblical value of compassion, and that God has called us to be people of compassion

Conclusion

Filled with moments that will make you cry, moments that will make you laugh, and moments that will make you think All Roads Lead Home is a touching story with a message. The witty moments between Bell and her grandfather Hock will remind viewers that even in sorrow joy can be found. Journey with a young girl, her horse, and her dog as they discover that forgiveness and compassion will heal even the most broken of hearts.

All Roads Lead Home was rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for thematic material and brief language. This film received the "Family Approved" award for ages twelve and up from the Dove Foundation. As always, it is recommended that parents preview all content to determine what is suitable for their children, but the film All Roads Lead Home is considered appropriate for most older audiences.