Parents' Guide to

Where Hope Grows

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Moving faith-based friendship drama not just for believers.

Movie PG-13 2015 95 minutes
Where Hope Grows Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Where Hope Grows Movie: Scene #1
  • Where Hope Grows Movie: Scene #2
  • Where Hope Grows Movie: Scene #3

Community Reviews

See all
age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

ibrad
ibrad Parent
February 15, 2016
age 16+

Beware the PG-13 rating

We had an afternoon available and took my 12 yr old son to watch this moving thinking it would be a feel good, Christian, good message type movie. Was not at all prepared for the very adult subject matter. The other person's review really downplayed the "bad boyfriend" and no I'm not at all a prude. The opening scene is of teenagers having sex or getting ready to have sex. It's not a quick screen shot, it's a long drawn out scene and IMO very mature for the rating of PG-13. The storyline is decent, overall good message, but keep in mind it's also just as the description provided of heavy adult topics/content. Was also not ready for the attempted rape scene either. Couldn't it have been a fight that leads the climax, if after all the storyline was suppose to be about the unlikely friendship? And then you have the adultery content... honestly too much sex-related content for a PG-13 movie. I know many parents take their 9+ old child to PG-13 movies, but I don't think it's even appropriate for 13 yr olds. This movie pushes the boundaries of the rating too much.
maryp68
maryp68 Adult
May 21, 2015
age 2+

Great movie!

They do not use God's Name in vein.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

WHERE HOPE GROWS is a faith-based fim about the kind of friendship that comes out of nowhere but changes your life forever. Calvin Campbell (Kristoffer Polaha) was once a Major League Baseball player, but he's now a single alcoholic raising a perpetually disappointed 17-year-old daughter, Katie (McKaley Miller). One day at the local ValuMart, Calvin ends up in a conversation with "Produce" (David DeSanctis), a grocery store clerk with Down syndrome. After Calvin has increasingly chatty interactions with Produce, the two become friends outside of the grocery store, too. As Calvin grows closer to his generous-hearted new friend, he begins to make positive changes (joining AA, going to church) to turn himself from a bitter baseball washout into a productive and protective friend and father.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

In the genre of faith-based cinema, this is one of the rare movies that doesn't feel like an evangelical tract. It's a well-acted and engaging story of how the unlikeliest of people can influence you in the best of ways. Yes, there are Christian messages strewn throughout the movie, but it's subtler than many in the genre. Polaha is expertly cast as a washed-up former ballplayer who doesn't know what to do with his life, and his chemistry with DeSanctis is so sweet that their scenes together are the best the movie has to offer.

Despite a few structural missteps -- like tacking on a subplot about Calvin's best friend, Milt (William Zabka), worrying that his wife (Danica McKellar) is having an affair, or making Katie's "bad boy" boyfriend Colt (Michael Grant) so unlikable that it's difficult to understand why she'd even bother with such a stalkerish creep -- Where Hope Grows is a movie that will grow on audiences. Produce and Calvin's friendship is so gentle and endearing that even the sentimental moments don't feel overly precious in this well-done exploration of redemption through kindness.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about who you think Where Hope Grows is intended to appeal to. Do you think only families/viewers who embrace the movie's faith-based messages will appreciate it? Why or why not?

  • What is the movie saying about friendship, fatherhood, and change? How are the characters impacted by their relationships?

  • How does the movie depict the teen romantic relationship? Is it realistic? How much sexual content in media is appropriate for kids? Parents, talk with your teens about what to do if their boyfriend or girlfriend is pressuring them into sex and/or belittling them about their inexperience.

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate