When Abby shows up at Rosemary’s nursing home, she is hungry,
dirty, and haggard. Rosemary introduces Abby as her big sister, which seems
unlikely, given that Rosemary is elderly and Abby seems to be around eight
years old. When social services arrive, Rosemary asks her granddaughter Maggie
to take Abby home; Maggie has adopted previously, and she has space to take in
another child. She reluctantly agrees to take in Abby for one night. Although
this upsets Maggie’s daughter Jen, Maggie anticipates that the placement will be
very brief.
** SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY **
The Adoption
Connection
Maggie and her husband adopted Jen; Jen was a distant
relative of Maggie’s husband. However, Maggie’s husband died a year ago, and
the bond between Maggie and Jen has never been particularly strong. Abby’s
arrival at the home upsets teenage Jen, who felt that she should have had a
voice in the decision and generally feels disenfranchised from the home in the aftermath
of her adoptive father’s death. She discovers a secret that adds to her anger
at, and distance from, Maggie. Jen had been abused in foster care and had engaged
in some self-harming behaviors prior to being adopted.
Abby’s past is shrouded in mystery. Like Dennis in Martian
Child, Abby seems to have a fantastical explanation for who she is, and there
is some willingness on the part of her new family – and of the viewer – to believe
her story, but in truth, Abby has been abused, and is now on the run, fearful
of being taken back to her abusers. On two occasions she attempts to run away
from Maggie’s care because she is fearful of being taken away and returned to
an unsafe situation.
Strong Points
Abby finds a loving family in Maggie, Jen, and Rosemary.
The Storyteller is a story of healing, rebuilding, and
belonging.
A line in the film captures a helpful and powerful truth, “Because
you love me as I am, we are family.”
Challenges
It’s a little confusing at times whether Abby’s story is
true or not, and some kids could take it literally when elderly Rosemary tells
young Abby that Abby must watch after Maggie; some kids have felt the
responsibility of caring for adults rather than being cared for, and this
aspect of the film could be tricky for them.
Some thematic elements push this film out of bounds for
younger viewers.
Recommendations
The Storyteller is a beautiful, encouraging film that tugs
appropriately on my heartstrings in the same way that ReMoved does. It gets a
strong recommendation for adoptive parents, foster parents, and folks
considering becoming foster or adoptive parents, and it could also be helpful
for teens who will become foster or adoptive siblings when their parents become
foster parents.
Questions for
Discussion
Most behaviors make sense within a given context; why do you
think Abby tried to run away? How would you respond if you were parenting her?
Where did Abby’s fanciful backstory come from? What purpose
did it serve in her life?
What does Abby most need in order to feel safe?
Why was Jen unhappy with Abby coming into the home? How did
her feelings change?
You can watch the Storyteller here.
For more information, check out their Facebook page or the Storyteller website
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