Like Dandelion Dust

Two police officers arrive at a quiet Ohio home, where a drunk man answers the door. Rip Porter [Barry Pepper] and his wife Wendy Porter [Mira Sorvino] live there. The officers explain they’re checking on an emergency call and discover Rip intoxicated and Wendy injured. Rip is arrested, and he goes to prison.

Seven years pass. Rip is released a changed man, now sober and having completed anger management courses. When Rip brings up the idea of starting a family, Wendy reveals she gave birth to their son while he was incarcerated but placed the baby for adoption with the Campbells, who live in Florida. Rip immediately seeks custody of his son, arguing Wendy forged his signature on the adoption papers.

Jack Campbell [Cole Hauser] and Molly Campbell [Kate Levering] have built a peaceful life with their son, Joey [Maxwell Perry Cotton], along with Wendy and Rip’s child. A judge sides with Rip and Wendy, and the Campbells are left reeling. Joey’s first visit with his birth parents goes surprisingly well, offering a glimpse of how life could be.

Desperation drives Jack to travel to Ohio, offering Rip money in exchange for Joey. Rip refuses, and a confrontation ensues. The sting of that conflict sends Rip back toward drinking, overwhelmed by stress. During a subsequent visit, Rip’s patience wears thin when Joey refuses to take a shower; the situation escalates and Rip forcefully places Joey in the shower, leaving a bruise on his arm.

Before Joey leaves, Wendy shares a story about a wish she once made with a dandelion. After he departs, she informs Rip that she arranged for Joey to spend an extra week with Jack and Molly, a plan that unsettles him and triggers another outburst of violence toward Wendy.

Back home, Joey shows his bruised arm to Jack and Molly and recounts what happened. Molly convinces Jack that they should flee the country with Joey to keep him safe. They join a church mission trip to Haiti, accompanied by Molly’s sister and her husband, with plans for international travel.

However, Molly’s sister grows suspicious and contacts Allyson Bower [L. Scott Caldwell], the child services agent overseeing Joey’s case. The family is brought back to the United States to confront the situation with the caseworker and Wendy. Rip, recognizing his faults, agrees to seek help for his alcoholism and anger, hoping to become a better man.

Wendy explains that Rip never intended to hurt Joey, but she concedes he isn’t ready to be a father. Jack apologizes to her for trying to bribe Rip. In the end, Wendy agrees to place Joey with the Campbells permanently and signs a revised adoption paper with Rip’s signature. As she says goodbye to Joey, she expresses a cautious hope that she and Rip might be part of his life again as he grows up.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:49