Such a frustrating disappointment

People are voting emotionally.

Memorable, crazy movie

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

There have been many movies about city doctors moving to the rural mountain areas, finding it extremely difficult at first, and little by little, learning to love it and never go back. This story concerns a Chicago pediatrician, whose wife has just died from cancer, and who must go to rural North Carolina for a summer in order to get a promotion to head pediatrician. He has a 10 year old son who is very asthmatic. I wondered why the doctor's promotion was conditional, figuring it was just to give a reason to get him into the country for the story, but I was wrong, as this was just about the only twist that wasn't obvious from the start. The first third of the movie was the weakest part. All the characters were stereotypes, mostly bumpkins, except the female mayor, and you knew right away what would eventually happen there, especially since she was a widow. The middle followed the formula of the townsfolk gradually warming to the doctor and vice versa. I was about to rate this a 4 or 5, but the final third, while not wholly original, was very well done and emotional, and along with a couple of surprises, saved the film for me, and made it worth seeing. This is definitely not a film for the action crowd, as it has no violence, sex, or vulgar language, (although one woman comes on very strong to the doctor, overdoing her part badly). It is probably what most would call a traditional family film, though it has some scenes that might upset those who find medical scenes disturbing. Like one other reviewer stated, it felt a little like a Hallmark film or a TV movie, but if it finds the audience it is intended for, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Have a tissue handy for the last few minutes.By the way, I have been to Chicago and rural North Carolina many times, and if I were the doctor, I would have stayed in North Carolina too. I rarely encountered any "country bumpkins" no matter where I went there.

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.

Simple town. Simple houses. Simple people who live there. Maybe we all need a little simpler way of life now and then. Seen at the Staten Island Film Festival June 2007, this definitely provides a change of pace to what you'll see in most of today's movie houses. In this movie, a big city high tech. doctor comes to rural America to set up a clinic as a requirement to advance his career. I'm pretty sure if you showed up at this 'clinic' today, you'd probably wonder what in the world you're letting yourself in for. If it isn't gleaming chrome and plastic today, most of us would probably head for the nearest exit. Predictable? Maybe a little, but that doesn't ruin the movie one bit. If you're looking for high speed car chases, this movie isn't for you. No shoot'em ups either. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this movie with the entire family. It also just might restore your faith in people, even though you think of yourself as superior, high tech, or city slicker. Great entertainment.

To the critic that was bothered by the way the mountain people were depicted in the movie "Simple Things". I am also from the area in which the movie was filmed. I guess that you need reminding that the people there are smart enough to know that this is a fictional movie and to not take things so seriously. Mountain people, for the most part, are just proud enough to not worry what the rest of the world thinks of them, because they know whom and of what character they are. I know many people there that are truly excited about movies being shot in their back yard. My family is proud of it and would like for others around the U.S. to see our countryside. For the plot not being so believable, that's the sole reason we make movies. Not too often is reality exciting. I cant wait to see the movie.