Rip Porter (Berry Pepper) is taken off to jail for abusing his wife Wendy (Mira Sorvino); he has no idea that he will wind up in prison and that she is pregnant with their child. She gives birth to a son and then adopts him out. Years later when Rip is released, and he seems genuinely reformed, he and Wendy reunite. When Rip learns he is a father, he insists on fighting to gain custody of his son, Joey (Maxwell Perry Cotton).

Jack and Molly Campbell (Cole Hauser and Kate Levering) have raised Joey for the last six years and they have a wonderful relationship with their adopted son and love him like their own. They are devastated when they hear his biological parents want him back. This story is filled with plenty of drama and the viewer will most likely sympathize with both sides. However, it soon becomes clear that Rip is not ready to be a father and the question becomes: will Joey be forced to move away from the only parents he has ever known?

This compelling drama will have the viewer thinking seriously about these moral issues: should an adopted child ever be allowed to be reclaimed by his biological parents? Is the child’s welfare really considered in these cases or simply which side the law falls on? Does true love sometimes mean giving up the person you love the most? And, why is it some wives remain in abusive relationships and how far should forgiveness be extended?

All the principal actors hit the right notes and Barry Pepper does a tremendous job as a complex man who seems to be a good guy except when his temper flares up. Then he becomes an abusive husband.

This is a moving family drama and recommended for ages twelve plus due to the mature themes. We gladly award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to “Like Dandelion Dust.” How nice to watch a well-written and directed drama without the use of gratuitous profanities.