This is a film based on the novel The Redemption Of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis. It is directed by Michael Landon, Jr.
Cynical Newspaper columnist in Portland, Oregon Sarah Cain discovers to her shock that her sister, an Amish convert has died and appointed her guardian of five Amish children. She takes them back to the city and attempts to raise them.
This is a rather predictable plot but it is a light and heartwarming movie.
Tropes include:
- An Aesop: Cynicism is bad. Sarah will move to their village and will be thus "saved" from her cynicism.
- Hidden Depths: The Amish boy Caleb proves to be a very good wrestler. Apparently pushing a plow is good exercise.
- Massive Numbered Siblings: All five Amish siblings, nieces and nephews to Sarah. Lyddie is the eldest, then there is Caleb, Anna Mae, Josiah and youngest Hannah.
- My Girl Back Home: Lyddie is shown writing to her boyfriend Levi who is still back in Pennsylvania. In this case, the girl is out in the world having an adventure
- Obstructive Bureaucrat: The Government points out that Lyddie was underage for guardianship by a year even though she is most certainly qualified. In this case it is no one's fault; the law simply can't cover every circumstance.
- Parental Substitute: Ivy, a mother of five who joined the Amish community, suddenly dies and her estranged sister Sarah, a career-oriented journalist, is supposed to take care of her children.
- Peer Pressure Makes You Evil: Public school in Portland slightly corrupts the Amish children; at least enough to shock Lyddie, though rather venial corruptions by Englishcher standards to say the least.
- Promotion to Parent: Lyddie the big sis. She is willing to be promoted to parent and be the maternal figure for her younger siblings, but she can't legally do it because she's not old enough. Their aunt Sarah, their deceased mom's sister, is supposed to become their legal guardian but it is obvious Lyddie wants to be, ought to be, and would do a far better job.
- Wise Beyond Their Years: Lyddie is very responsible for a teenager and she's capable to taking care of her . A rather realistic portrayal.
- Your Favourite: Sarah's boyfriend Bryan visits Sarah at the end of the movie while he's on a business trip and brings her a piece of her favorite cheesecake as a reconciliation gesture.
