Sometimes life gives you more than you bargained for

Up to this point, Sally Danville’s life has played out just as she hoped it would. A beautiful and free-spirited musician, she and her fighter-pilot husband, Jason, live life on the go, free of domestic responsibilities. But with a single phone call from Child & Family Services case worker, Dorothy (Phylicia Rashad, The Cosby Show), she learns that things don’t always go according to plan. Sally (Brooke White, American Idol) is met with the news that her best friend from college has died in a tragic accident on a Peace Corps mission and has named Sally the legal guardian of her four kids – 3 of them adopted from third-world countries. Now Sally and Jason (Joe Flanigan, Stargate Atlantis) must quickly learn to parent this instant family and help the kids deal with the culture clash of life in America. The story is both humorous and heartwarming, revealing how fulfilling life can be when you look beyond your own plans and invest in the lives of others.

“Change of Plans” Set to Air on Saturday, January 8 at 8/7c on FOX

Walmart and P&G Unveil the Fourth Installment of “Family Movie Night”

CINCINNATI, Dec. 7, 2010 — Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and Walmart (NYSE: WMT) will premiere their latest made-for-TV family movie, “Change of Plans,” starring Brooke White, Joe Flanigan and Phylicia Rashad on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 8/7c on FOX.

“Change of Plans” demonstrates how our lives can be turned upside down with a single phone call. When Sally Danville (Brooke White, “American Idol”) finds out that her best friend from college died in a tragic accident while serving in the Peace Corps, Sally also learns that she has been named the legal guardian of her friend’s four children, three of whom were adopted from third-world countries. Now Sally and her husband, Jason (Joe Flanigan, “Stargate: Atlantis”), must quickly learn to parent this instant family and help the kids deal with culture clashes and life in America. The story is both humorous and heartwarming, revealing how fulfilling life can be when you look beyond your own plans and invest in the lives of others.

After a successful run in season seven of “American Idol,” White makes her acting debut and performs songs throughout the movie. The movie also features a star-studded cast, including cameo appearances by NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, who has produced all of the “Family Movie Night” soundtracks, including the one for “Change of Plans.”

“Brooke has been featured on the soundtrack for two of our other ‘Family Movie Night’ films and we immediately thought of her for the character of Sally Danville, the free-spirited, kind-hearted guitar player,” stated Executive Producer Brian Wells. “This was an ideal first acting role for Brooke and we knew from her audition that we made the perfect choice.”

“As a singer-songwriter, I never expected that I would be acting; talk about a ‘Change of Plans!’” said White. “I love this story, because it is emotionally-driven, yet light-hearted and fun. It also shows us that the family comes in all shapes and sizes, and reminds us that sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way we planned, but it can be even better. It’s a great lesson that I learned firsthand!”

Phylicia Rashad, best known as Clair Huxtable from “The Cosby Show,” plays social worker Dorothy in her return to television after spending time on Broadway and most recently in the film, “For Colored Girls.” The dynamic and diverse children include Jordan (Jayme Lynn Evans, “All My Children”), Javier (Bobby Soto, “Brothers & Sisters”), Kaleb (Jakobe Dempsey, “Barney & Friends”) and Sung Lee (newcomer Clarissa Suwoko).

The “Change of Plans” soundtrack includes three songs from White, as well as tracks from various recording artists. The “Change of Plans” DVD and soundtrack will be sold together in a bonus pack exclusively at Walmart. More details will be announced in 2011. For more information visit www.familymovienight.com.

When research revealed parents across America are seeking more family-oriented entertainment options, P&G and Walmart made a commitment to be part of the solution. “Change of Plans” continues P&G and Walmart’s “Family Movie Night” initiative, which strives to produce more quality entertainment options families can enjoy together throughout 2011.

“Family Movie Night” launched in April 2010 with the film “Secrets of the Mountain,” followed by “The Jensen Project” in July, and most recently “A Walk in My Shoes” on December 3. All three movies celebrated success with high-rated tune-in from viewers and associated brands seeing increased sales during the promotional time surrounding the films.

Read more: Breaking News – “Change of Plans” Set to Air on Saturday, January 8 at 8/7c on FOX | TheFutonCritic.com

Change of plans movie review

by Lerato Makomene, posted on 5 October 2012

Someone once said, you won’t know unconditional love until you become a parent. I never really understood this phrase until I watched the movie Change of plans that came out in 2011  starring American Idol Brooke White(Sally). Like most fortunate women, Sally Danville’s life has played out just as she hoped it would. A beautiful and free-spirited musician, she and her fighter-pilot husband, Jason, live life on the go, free of domestic responsibilities. They are both career driven with no plans of having kids. That sounds like the kind of life most career driven young people aspire to have.

But with a single phone call from Child & Family Services caseworker, Dorothy (Phylicia Rashad, The Cosby Show), she learns that things don’t always go according to plan. Sally is met with the news that her best friend from college has died in a tragic accident on a Peace Corps mission and has named Sally the legal guardian of her four kids – 3 of them adopted from third-world countries. Now Sally and Jason (Joe Flanigan, Stargate Atlantis) must quickly learn to parent this instant family and help the kids deal with the culture clash of life in America. The story is both humorous and heartwarming, revealing how fulfilling life can be when you look beyond your own plans and invest in the lives of others.

I had an epitome after watching this movie as I realized how selfish human beings can be. We are so focused on our own lives that we forget about our neighbors and their needs. People of this generation live life on the fast lane, we have our lives drawn up to achieve certain goals that we forget to enjoy the little gifts that life brings to us on a daily basis; a neighbor’s child waving at you as you leave your house, a walk in the park, a smile from a stranger, the power of giving by looking beyond our selfish needs. We get so busy chasing material things that we forget to even have a conversation with our loved ones, we have lost the gift of compassion and humility.

I would give this movie 5 golden stars, its life changing and I shed a tear or two whilst watching it. Life is a gift which we must share with other people. You don’t have to give them money or any material things, the world is filled with many ups and downs, we all need love and affirmation that we are not on this world alone. The movie will give any lost soul a sense of belonging, if you want to be in touch with your inner being, I suggest that you get yourself the DVD and you wont regret it.