Two police officers knock on the door of a home and a drunk man answers. Rip Porter lives at the house with his wife Wendy. The police say they are checking on an emergency call and find Rip drunk and Wendy injured. They arrest Rip, and he is sent to prison. Seven years later, Rip is released from prison. Rip has changed; he is now sober and has taken anger management courses. When Rip suggests starting a family, Wendy feels forced to reveal that she gave birth to their son while he was in prison but gave the baby up for adoption to the Campbells who live in Florida. Rip immediately wants custody of his son, and has a right to do so because Wendy forged his signature on the adoption papers. Jack and Molly Campbell have enjoyed an idyllic life with Joey, Wendy and Rip's son. When a judge upholds Rip and Wendy's claim, Molly and Jack are distraught. Joey's first visit with Wendy and Rip goes exceptionally well. As a last resort, Jack travels to Ohio and offers Rip money in exchange for Joey. Rip refuses, and gets in a physical altercation with Jack. Since this confrontation, Rip starts drinking again due to stress. On the next visit when Joey refuses to take a shower, Rip is at first patient but eventually loses his temper. He roughly puts Joey in the shower, and unintentionally leaves a bruise on Joey's arm. Before Joey leaves, Wendy tells him about making a wish by blowing on a dandelion. Once he's gone, Wendy tells Rip that she arranged for Joey to spend an extra week with Jack and Molly. This upsets Rip and he seriously assaults Wendy. When Joey returns home, he shows his bruise to Jack and Molly and tells them what happened. Molly convinces Jack they should flee the country with Joey. They join a church mission trip to Haiti, with Molly's sister and her husband. Jack has arranged for the three of them to fly out to another country. However, Molly's sister is suspicious and calls Allyson Bower, the child services agent in charge of Joey's case. The Campbells are returned to the US where they meet with Allyson Bower and Wendy. A regretful Rip agrees to receive help and guidance for his alcoholism and anger problems in the hope of becoming a better man. Wendy tells the Campbells that Rip never meant to hurt Joey, but that he is not ready to be a father. Jack apologizes to her for trying to bribe Rip. Ultimately, Wendy agrees to hand Joey over to them permanently and signs a revised adoption paper with Rip's signature. As Wendy bids Joey goodbye, she expresses her hopes that she and Rip can have a relationship with him when he grows older.
The film was released in the United States September 23, 2010. The Times-Colonist named it as one of "10 films you will want to watch" at the Victoria Film Festival. The movie was relatively successful, earning $77,960 on its opening weekend, in just 25 theaters. It was then expanded to 60 theaters, and by the end of its run, earned a domestic total of $352,810.
Reception
The film was well received by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of critics gave the film a positive review, based on 15 reviews. Michael Ordona of the Los Angeles Times remarked, "'Like Dandelion Dust' is a well-acted, earnest film about adoptive parents' worst nightmare, dealing sympathetically with all parties in a lose-lose situation." Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times praised the film and said, "There's no denying that the acting in Like Dandelion Dust, an adoption drama directed by Jon Gunn from a novel by Karen Kingsbury, is superb."
Awards
Deauville Film Festival 2009 Won "Première" Award Feature Film: Bobby Downes Heartland Film Festival 2009 Won Audience Award Best Dramatic Feature: Bobby Downes, Kevin Downes, Kerry David, Jon Gunn Las Vegas International Film Festival 2009 Won Grand Jury Prize Best Feature: Best Feature: Bobby Downes, Kevin Downes, Kerry David Jury Prize Best Actor: Barry Pepper New York VisionFest 2009 Won Film Competition Award Acting : Mira Sorvino Acting : Barry Pepper Production: Bobby Downes, Kevin Downes, Kerry David Writing: Michael Lachance, Stephen J. Rivele San Diego Film Festival 2009 Won Festival Award Best Actress: Mira Sorvino San Luis ObispoInternational Film Festival 2009 Won George Sidney Independent Film Competition - Special Jury Prize Best Feature: Jon Gunn, Kerry David, Kevin Downes, Bobby Downes Sedona International Film Festival 2009 Won Audience Award Best Feature: Kerry David, Jon Gunn, Kevin Downes, Bobby Downes Best Feature: Bobby Downes, Kevin Downes, Kerry David Sonoma Valley Film Festival 2009 Won Audience Award Best Picture: Kevin Downes, Bobby Downes, Kerry David, Jon Gunn Honorable Mention Best Actor: Maxwell Perry Cotton Jury Award Best Actress: Mira Sorvino Best Narrative Feature: Bobby Downes, Kevin Downes, Kerry David Stony Brook Film Festival 2009 Won Audience Choice Award Best Feature: Kerry David, Kevin Downes, Bobby Downes Vail Film Festival 2009 Won Audience Award Best Feature: Kevin Downes, Bobby Downes, Kerry David, Jon Gunn
