A Place to Call Home

Points for plucky Linda Lavin, especially at the end when she gives her eunuch of a husband the heave ho--she should have thrown HIM into the rushing water and gone back to the sheep station with her kids!!! How ironic that he wanted to move there because he thought the kids were going' soft, yet he didn't have the *Beep* to divorce his wife before he forced her to move to the other side of the globe. What a catch he was, eh? Meanwhile, ya gotta admire Lavin's character in this role, though I found her acting a bit understated--like she was holding back. And the kids, though equally plucky (and the little ones were cute) had their annoying moments. Still, it was a good "fish out of water" story.

It may have been a typical formula for Linda Lavin; a woman who sacrifices all for her children and has to stand up for herself against her neglectful husband, but 'A Place To Call Home' is nevertheless an interesting and involving story that took place in the early seventies. Both the culture shock of living in the Australian outback and the woman herself, who had numerous children and adopted others as well, are intriguing and do well to hold the attention. Lori Loughlin as the oldest daughter may be Hollywood beauty, but even she rebels against the unhappiness of the new life down under; yet there are children who do stand out and not inhabit the background who are not Hollywood beauties. Plus, there is no cliched interests like going to the mall or a concert. We are treated to the visits from a snake, the raising and unpredictability of sheep, and how involved the children get in their new environment. And rebellion is shown as a natural part of being a child, not put on a pedastol like in other movies.

Lavin delivers her usual work, no big surprises, Loughlin is a recognizeable face, Lane Smith as Lavin's husband Sam, appears at the end, and Robert MacNaughton, best known as the older brother in ET, towers over the other kids as a hyperactive teen, and Maggie Fitzgibbon works well as an Australian storekeeper who plays voice of reason to Lavin.

But the strongest player in this story is the story itself; the importance of sheep raising overwhelms everything else we are led to believe is important to a child. It is interesting to listen to the dialogue and observe the goings on at times as well, such as when Fitzgibbon and Lavin are talking, and at Christmastime. When Smith does arrive, he is now the outsider of this delightful situation. It really is a shame to see this saga end, but then we are treated to where all the children and the woman herself have gone to.

I have also been looking for this movie all these years. I loaned it to a friend and she lost it. I would very much like to know where I can get a copy. I do not care if it is used either. Please respond ASAP. I enjoyed this movie so much and would love for my son to see it. Any help would be appreciated. Linda Lavin was wonderful in this movie. She had a daunting experience ahead of her. She must have felt very lonely and forgotten, yet she and her children overcame and endured. It was funny, heartwarming, sad, scary and very intense. It had all the emotions and drama anyone could hope for. If anyone has a copy I would love to get this movie. Thanks, Vickie

saw this earlier & could not stop laughing! Linda Lavin swings a sheep over head and lets go of it! It nearly flies into the barn wall but her ugly son catches it mid-air. What a hoot!

Overall it is a pretty good TV movie. Lavin gives good accent but the children are annoying. I'd tend to think she'd be a little wider in the hips after delivering ELEVEN kids. Yikes!

A really good, heartwarming true story of a Houston family that relocates to the outback of Australia (minus the father). The wife (played by Linda Lavin) is forced to raise all 11 children by herself when her deadbeat husband decides he wants no part of the family life anymore. All seems to work out in the end, with many of the children deciding to stay in the outback.