City Boy

I had been eagerly awaiting seeing this film, due to my love of Gene Stratton-Porter's novels, but was disappointed due to its flat, dull portrayals. While the film had a lovely forest backdrop, and several well-crafted scenes, generally the characters were as multi-faceted as a piece of parchment. A shame, especially as contrasted to the opulence of Ms. Porter's original writing.

To make myself clear: it was not a bad movie - in fact, a rather good piece of family entertainment complete with a budding romance and a moral - just a bit milquetoast.

Nick, a handicapped orphan from Chicago, is in search of his father in the American frontier of the early 20th century. Simon, another vagabond youth, befriends Nick and the two settle in a small town centered on the local logging operations. Nick gets a job with the local logging company and is smitten with a local girl while Simon hooks up with those that are stealing from the lumbermen.

When the two sides reach their inevitable confrontation, Nick must confront his demons.

This is a well told story that starts a bit slow but has some great moments. It's interesting to see how the `city boy' discovers the wonders of nature. The toothsome Christian Campell, Neve's brother does a credible job in the lead role but looks enough like his sister that anyone who is familiar with her work gets a sense of déjà vu throughout.

This movie started out so BLAH that I couldn't keep my eyes on the screen. The sun did not shine thru the entire movie, most of which was shot outside in the daytime. But towards the middle, it changed and by the end, I loved it. I wouldn't mind watching City Boy again.