Kathy Bates is likably feisty portraying a widow with six kids who struggles to give her family a decent life in 1962 Idaho. Well-intentioned family film is hurt overall by a corny narration, episodic story structure and plot contrivances. The performances, however, are quite strong, particularly by Edward Furlong as the eldest of Bates' children. Tony Bill directed with compassion (he's a sentimentalist at heart) but many of his big scenes go from gritty to gooey in record time. Not very memorable, and not a great showcase for Kathy Bates' versatility as an actress, but still a decent film that will probably play better on television than it did in theaters. ** from ****

Wonderful!!!! This movie has lots of heart. One of the best movies I have ever seen. I don't understand the other person's comment. He must not know too much about love and determination. This movie shows about the love and caring of a single woman and her kids trying to find a home of their own. It shows how working together can bring a family close, even if they don't have a lot. And, how people come together in a crisis. Love, this movie. I highly recommend it. I live in Idaho, and it is beautiful!! I think this is one of Kathy Bates best movies. Her strength and determination for her family to overcome all the obstacles in this movie to make a home so that all of them can live is tremendous. Please rent this movie. It is a must see for the entire family.

I know a lot of folks talked about this movie being so heartwrenching, and at time a tear jerker, but this movie is as close to my childhood as I can imagine. We weren't quite as poor, but I really grew up in a half-finished house and we were pretty tight on money. We never finished our house, but my mom sent three kids to damn good colleges and private schools while supporting us on a teacher's salary.And Kathy Bates nailed it just right. I think that this movie portrays a lot of things about people who are struggling to get by, and it does it in a way that is very evenly balanced. I mean, her character is mostly sympathetic, but she shuts people out too. She's proud to a fault. She wants so much to do it all on her own, that she doesn't seem to realize just how much help she needs. That sense that she is all alone in it; that's how we felt. I'm sure that's how my parents felt. I liked how she found friends who knew how to handle her pride and still help her. I loved this movie but it is hard for me to watch! I never got nails for Christmas, though!I think the bit about the disclaimer that this is all fiction is just the standard CYA language the lawyers put in at the end of every movie. There's lots of novels that are "fiction" that are true.

The first reviewer took the words right out of my mind. This movie was so good, I had to watch it twice to see what I missed. So many movies out there that deal with nonsense. This one touches your heart. I'll admit I didn't want to see the movie because of Kathy Bates but this movie changed my opinion about her. I was disappointed that the movie had an open-ending but was satisfied that they family was going to be alright. One thing though... The narrator's voice and Edward Furlong's does not resemble one another. I have changed my own rating system..... Out of 10 stars, I give "A Home of Our Own" 6 1/2. Get the box of Kleenex!