Faithful Friday: My Personal Reflections on the Movie Adaptation of Karen Kingsbury’s “Someone Like You”

By: Debbie Waltz

I was ecstatic when I first heard about Karen’s intention to bring her novels to the big screen. Besides PureFlix and a few other studios, there’s not much good entertainment out there these days. The movies out there are getting pushed aside for those of higher entertainment and star power, hoping to get more people to go to the film. I believe Karen Kingsbury’s high movie ratings are a deeper expression of what our world needs right now- movies that inspire and uplift audiences, rather than entertain and distract us from our world and its current problems. As well as uplifting audiences, we need more movies that encourage us to make a difference while we can. Too often, we go about our daily lives with only ourselves in mind, forgetting we are part of a broken world. But then again, we are called to be God’s ambassadors- bringing His Light and the good news of the gospel into the world.

As 2 Corinthians 5: 11- 13 in NLT explains, “Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade them. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.”

Little did I know Karen planned to do all this on her own. She did not have a big production team backing her but used her own money to fund the project. Not only that, but she hired people within her community and Tennessee to help out. What’s more impressive was when I learned the movie was filmed in 25 days. Amazingly, during one of those days, the crew experienced hurricane conditions, but they were still able to finish on time!

Despite these obstacles, Karen’s book translated beautifully on screen. As always, her words weave biblical truth amidst hard (and sometimes controversial stories) to get us talking. This movie is no different. It tackles themes of forgiveness and reconciliation discussed in this film but less talked about issues such as organ donation and difficulty getting pregnant are covered as well. Though these are complex issues, they were handled sensitively and with care, as only Karen’s team could do.

In the opening scene, we meet 2 drastically different yet distinct characters. First, there is Dawson Gage (played by Jake Allyn). Right off the bat, we learn that though his parents died when he was younger; they provided him with a positive work ethic and Christian upbringing. This is evident by the fact that Gage is an architect and built the beautiful glass house is living in that overlooks the lake. Then we meet London, (played by Sara Fisher), his beautiful and hard-working best friend who works part time at her parents’ café and chauffeurs her mother to and from dialysis appointments.

Though her family is Christian, London is struggling with her faith; this is clear by some discussions the two friends have about her and the church. All the while, Dawson tries to encourage or not to give up on God. Meanwhile, he is developing feelings for his friend. He is just waiting for the right time — when she is in between relationships to declare his feelings and take their relationship to the next level.

Finally, the day arrives. London arrives at Dawson’s Lake house and the 2 spend a wonderful day jet skiing around the lake. During discussions about church, she reveals she got tested to see if she was a match and the results just came in. She is a match and has decided to give a kidney to her mom; the surgery is scheduled for in 2 weeks.

“Unfortunately, Chad and I broke up,” London adds. She continues revealing she had doubts the relationship would last.

Finally, an opening. Dawson offers to take her out to celebrate the good news about her mom’s upcoming surgery.

“Sounds like a date,” London smiles knowingly.

“Maybe it is,” he replies simply.

As night dawns, the two arrive at the ice cream parlor. He offers to get their order in while London lingers outside, admiring the moonlight.

Dawson turns back immediately when he hears a crash. A car hit London as she was crossing the street. Rushing to her side as bystanders called 911, Dawson stroked her hair for what had turned out to be the very last time.

Following her funeral, Dawson and the Quinn family struggle to adjust to their new “normal.” Hoping to return the favor for serving as his substitute family when his parents died, Dawson does whatever he can to support his family.

On one such evening, he arrives at the Quinn household to find them in a deep discussion.

“We should have told her,” Louise says.

“What difference would it have made?” Larry questions defensively.

Not understanding, Dawson questions the couple.

Louise (played by Lynn Collins) tries to explain condensing their pregnancy journey. After years of trying to conceive naturally, the couple finally retrieved Louise’s eggs. During that procedure, 2 eggs were found viable and frozen for a later date. Finally, the couple decided they were ready to try again and implanted one egg in Louise. It took and London finally began growing in Louise. The pregnancy was normal until the birth. After intense labor and delivery, Louise began losing a lot of blood (forgive me, I don’t remember how) but London is okay. The doctors suggest not trying to have any more children because of how much stress it puts on her kidney (resulting in her current state and weakened organs.)

Taking the doctor’s advice, the couple signed over the rights to the remaining embryo and moved on with their life.

“Wait… So London could have a sibling out there somewhere?”

Louise shook her head, saying she didn’t know, but always wondered about the possibility London might have had a sister or brother out there.

Dawson was amazed. Not only were the Quinns feeling grief over their daughter’s death, but they were dealing with the guilt of not telling London the truth.

With his little information, Dawson was determined to find the truth. Was there a sibling out there just like London? While Louise was all for Dawson finding the truth, Larry (played by Scott Reeves) was slightly leery. If there is someone out there, what right do they have interfering with their life? After all, they signed a nondisclosure agreement. Other people thought his plan was a is a little far-fetched. Nothing would bring back London.

Still, he had to try. After many hours of explaining the same situation about London and her tragic death, he finally got in touch with the doctor who implanted the second embryo. It had worked and London did have a sister working at the national zoo just a few states away. Feeling this is what London would want, Dawson travels across the state to see the truth for himself. The sisters are practically identical- except for Andi’s brunette hair color!

Several days pass as Dawson works up the courage to introduce himself. When he finally gathers enough courage, Dawson realizes she has no idea about her adoption or unconventional birth. Distraught, Andi returns home seeking answers. She feels betrayed her parents didn’t tell her about her adoption any sooner.

Essentially, her whole life has been built on a lie! Still reeling, Andi contacts Dawson and travels to Birmingham to meet the “family” she never knew. Dawson meets her outside the Quinn coffee shop and offers to show her all of London’s favorite spots while she is in town. Despite being eager to meet the Quinns, Andi wants to know more about the sister she never knew and Dawson is happy to oblige.

At the Quinn’s, Andi is welcomed with open arms; there is something eerily familiar about this family- whom she just met but feels connected to. As the four of them sit down to dinner, Andi offers to bless the food. She begins by giving thanks for the dinner and the hands that prepared it; she also acknowledges the family’s loss but recognizes that there is a sense of peace in this household that she’s never experienced before. During the rest of the dinner, Louise and her husband learn what they can about their “other” daughter while Larry remains somewhat distant.

“Remember, she’s not ours,” Larry reminds her before Andi arrives. “She’s not London.”

At the same time, though, Andi is eager to learn all she can about her twin counterpart; Dawson begins with a trip to the family coffee shop and then the high school auditorium. It is there that Andi learns about Dawson’s love of dance and the subsequent injury that caused her to distance herself from the Lord.

On a personal note, Andi is struggling to come to terms with the deception of her parents and her adoption. She still wonders why her parents never informed her of the possibility of a biological sibling. Sensing her inner turmoil, Louise extends the offer to move in for the remainder of her stay. While validating Andi’s feelings, she encouraged her to not give up on them. “The world is so divided… You don’t want your family divided, too.”

In the process of Andi’s discussions, she learns the reality of Louise’s health and wants to get tested to see if she is a match. Just like London, Andi’s test comes back positive, and she wants to donate her kidney. Andi finally calls her parents to tell them the news; though distant, they are just happy to hear from her.

Personally, I like the book a bit better because it deals with more of the character’s inner struggles and thoughts. All in all, it is a beautiful movie that deals with real issues of forgiveness and the human heart. The cinematography was beautiful as they filmed several scenes in an actual zoo and on a beautiful lake.