Havan_IronOak This film felt like Everwood meets the Hallmark Channel on a budget. While the storyline is fine, none of the characters were developed beneath a superficial level and felt very phony towards the end. What doctor when faced with an un-breathing son would stop to cry instead of beginning CPR? I wanted to like the characters in this but it felt like movie needed to be more thought through before it could be engaging. For the most part the photography was beautiful and the sentiment was admirable if somewhat unbelievable.It felt unformed when we first see the son left on his own, with no though having been put into how he would spend his day. Some of the hillbilly types were a bit too stereotypical and I didn't really find it credible that they were afraid of big city doctors.I think that the sentiment was legit and the potential was there but everything felt like it needed more development and maybe a good solid rewrite.

movieguy592 Coming off a viewing of a very odd and awful comedy that was more concerning than it was funny, I didn't have high expectations for "Country Remedy" I was merely looking for something to make me forget about the previous movie I had just watched. Usually I try to go into a movie not expecting anything, a sorts of a neutral playing field if you will. Upon the opening scene, I was intrigued and knew that this film had some promise. Within a half hour of watching this, I was not able to turn it off even if I wanted to. The story is simple. Father, Evan and Son, Nate lose wife/mother, Father is one of the top Pediatricians in Chicago. His boss not sure his head is in the right place for the Head of Pediatrics and tells him if he's willing to go to a small mountain town in North Carolina to help out with the Clinic, and get a good recommendation from the mayor there, that he's sure to lock up the coveted Head of Pediatrics position. To the dismay of Nate, Evan accepts his boss' challenge. Upon arriving in Dunn's Rock, North Carolina, Evan and the new clinic is seemingly unwanted, and unaware of the future challenges that face Evan he must overcome professional and personal obstacles in terms of Nate, who is a bit lonesome while grieving the loss of his mother. While Evan also tries to win over the locals, but realizes that words of wisdom wont get him anywhere and he must use his skills to overturn the skeptical townsfolk.Nate meets two kids about his age, one in particular, Christina aka 'Chris' who shows Nate that while the City may be full of bright lights and all, the country is a forest full of adventures with magical powers. The subplot and secondary story lines have possibly hidden lessons, that while the film doesn't dwell on them or preach them, it does manage to get them across in a non- threatening way. For example the romanticism between Evan and the Mayor, while you know its there, it isn't exploited and is an excellent compliment to the overall picture.The acting is brilliant. Believable, subtle and simple. Some featured characters, such as Slyder may be overlooked but Mickey Jones, whom you may recognize from Home Improvement as "Pete Bilker" steals a few scenes and is a good comic relief. Edie McClurg as Nurse Maggie is the perfect fit for the role. While Aidan Mitchell and the rest of the cast was also great, the top two performers of the cast were Cameron Bancroft (Evan) and Channing Nichols (Christina 'Chris' Hudson). Bancroft with a resemblance to Kevin Bacon, was very believable as Evan, a highly-skilled and highly successful Pediatrician that is having difficulty not only grieving the loss of his wife, but also relating to his son, Nate. Channing Nicols, the then 14 year old with at the time only one movie and a few TV appearances under her belt, didn't show any sign of being a "rookie". While not having to switch from emotion to emotion much, when she did, she rivaled the top actors and actress' her age. The film while teetering on the fine line of Country town vs Big City, is able to walk that line and it never crosses it, instead it focuses on the issue that it first showed us in the opening scenes. The writing got this movie to goaline and the acting punched it in the endzone for a victory.This film is a great family film that has heart, comedy, drama. If you watch a lot of films, this movie may seem a bit predictable, but to the casual movie goer you should be pleasantly surprised.Rated PG for Thematic elements and Language. To add: There's a couple drinking scenes, and couple of dramatic moments, and does deal with losing a loved one, 7-8 and older should be fine.

mzhuff I laughed and I cried. Not only is this a funny, moving film with believable characters, and beautiful photography, it addresses grief head on. Through vulnerability and community we see transformation and healing take place. Although the screenplay was inspired by the book, Window of Childhood, it has its own story to tell. This is not your predictable tale of widower and son going to a new place to make a fresh start. Unlikely relationships form, people are not always as they seem, and surprises happen. I love this film. The cast is great. Most people will recognize Cameron Bancroft, Mickey Jones, Amber Benson, Edie McClurg, Joshua Leonard, Melissa Fitzgerald, and Bellamy Young. The children, Aiden Mitchell, Zack Gardner and particularly Channing Nichols, are wonderful. Andrew Erin is a young director to watch. If you have never been to Western North Carolina, this film will make you want to go. Country Remedy, the distributor's name for Simple Things, is a beautiful, heartwarming film for all ages. But it may catch you in a deep place in your own life, as well.

odetospot A rare and beautiful film about country life shot with simplicity and warmth, without contrivance or sentimentalism. Unlike many shows and films with the theme of big city meets small town, this film did not attempt to idealize small town or country living, instead showing how the magic, healing and community found in any place is due to an inner transformation and change in perspective. The magic of ordinary life in the country and the process of healing from grief and recovery from loss is captured so well here due to the quiet brilliance of the principal actor, Cameron Bancroft. Exquisite and subtle acting performance from Bancroft as Dr. Evan Gibbs and the actor who played his son, Nate, Aiden Mitchell. All of the cast was authentic, and the movie was deeply emotionally engaging, even wrenching because of this. I grew up in a small town and in the Country and I appreciated the humor, candor and realism and subtle moments of nature and grace, unadorned yet deeply poetic and meaningful, throughout. It also left much "scope for the imagination" as Anne of Green Gables would say.