When life fell apart, love fell into place.

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr., Gena Rowlands, Mae Whitman, Michael Paré, Cameron Finley, Kathy Najimy, Bill Cobbs, Connie Ray, Rosanna Arquette

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"Mothers always love their daughters, even if they show it poorly." - Ramona Calvert

Why watch this? It's Smithville, Texas, folks... and I have friends there.

Plot Summary: Birdee Pruitt's seemingly perfect life in Chicago is publicly shattered when her husband reveals his affair on a national talk show. Humiliated, she returns with her young daughter to her small Texas hometown to rebuild their lives. Faced with past wounds, fractured relationships, and the challenges of single motherhood, Birdee navigates a journey of self-acceptance and healing, ultimately finding strength and an unexpected chance at love.

Dad's Preview: This Lone Star romantic drama tugs at just about every heartstring it can. A wife finds out about her husbands affair on a talk show. A mother and daughter are abandoned. The prom queen returns to her Texas hometown. The daughter doesn't care for her Mom's new love interest. This film perhaps too sappy, but when I sign up for a romance I expect to cry a little. Sandra Bullock and Mae Whitman have a great rapport on screen. Harry Connick is serviceable as the hometown hunk looking to rekindle the old high school crush. It's a pretty good film and worth a look on date night.

DreamWorks Animation; Paramount Pictures