On Our Own

A tough life gets tougher when the three children of a single mom are scheduled to be sent to separate foster homes after her untimely passing.

To stay together, the older boy plans a daring, high risk escape to find a distant lost uncle- their only remaining next of kin.

Their trek takes the three fearful runaways on a chase through the desert in a classic beetle, penniless, hungry, desperate, terrorized by delinquents and too young to drive, hunted by the ever threatening civil authorities.

What the movie lacks in acting and plot realism, it makes up for in the honest human need to be a part of a fulfilled and complete family- even if that family is cobbled together with spare parts of broken lives.

Sure, the ending is forced and too over-dramatic for the critical movie goer, but every heart beats the same cry for family togetherness and belonging.

With all its weaknesses, I still give this movie a strong recommendation.

Own Our Own is a Great Family Movie because:

1) We have all thought of doing what necessity drove these kids to do. 2)The methods of the Child Welfare people too often have led to this dilemna. Do they have hearts? It sure doesn't show when they follow the Letter of the Law. 3) Everything worked out in the end. Values were upheld and a difficult situation was made right. Remember, this movie is a FAMILY movie. I found it to be a refreshing change from all those "shoot-em up" and "blow -em up" movies that are so boringly common today.

GOOD INTERESTING STORY THAT IS FUN AND PRETTY EASY TO FOLLOW = 1 Star

MEMORABLE DIALOGUE = 1/2 Star

FEEL A PULL TO WATCH IT AGAIN = 1 Star

MUSIC OR SCORE STANDS OUT = 1 Star

NO NOTICEABLE PLOT HOLES = 0 Stars

STORY GETS RESOLVED OR FEELS COMPLETE IN SOME WAY = 1 Star

I PERSONALLY LIKE OR FEEL A CONNECTION TO THIS STORY = 1 Star

MEMORABLE OR LIKABLE CHARACTERS = 1 Star

MOST THINGS ABOUT THE STORY COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN OR ARE BELIEVABLE = 0 Stars

STORY ISN'T BORING OR REPETITIVE = 1/2 Star



I watched this with my mom a few different times when I was young. It would make me hug her a little tighter and I'd feel more appreciative of what I have after viewing. The twists and turns are truly great in this story. The kids acting is defiantly good enough, some 80's movies just capture THAT vibe.

As a former foster This movie is very relatable. Haven't seen it in YEARS. But...unfortunately, it is in my head. I don't need to see it over and over again. I know. I feel.

The foster care system, is messed up in this country. Be it California, Washington, or Florida. They do not care for children, they don't care if siblings stay together or if they are even in the same school district.

They also don't care about a child's happiness. So, when you sit down to watch this movie, realize that a foster is probably not happy in his placement. That parent really doesn't care. I had amazing parents and got torn away, because I am an "Indian." Their words...

This movie is a heart warming movie for all ages. It will make you laugh, make you cry, but it will teach you lessons (great for younger audiences). I wore my copy out years ago, it's one of those timeless movies you will want to watch again and again. These kids show what family means, they give you an incite to an often silent world.

Mitch comes off a mischievous perhaps, but he's just trying to find a solution to his circumstances.

Kate, she reminds me of myself in a lot of ways. Looking out for the younger kids, without realizing it, she transforms into a miniature mother.

The two younger kids, will grab your heart, from the thumb sucking little girl, to the boy attached to his dog.

Peggy will teach you what it means to truly put yourself out there, helping someone with no intention of getting anything back.

Uncle Jack will teach you that in fact, money doesn't make a happy life. He will instill in you values without ever meaning to.

A must watch movie, after watching once, you will pick it back up over the years, and as you grow, you will discover more lessons you hadn't seen before.

I wish I could find this DVD for sale somewhere!