Simple Things

Simple Things promises to be an uplifting story on the familiar theme of the big-city doctor learning life lessons in a small town. Yes, the theme's been overdone (think Doc Elliot, Doctor Quinn: Medicine Woman, Doc Hollywood, and the excellent Everwood), but it still has potential. Unfortunately, Simple Things realizes none of it. It's based on a book of short stories "Through the Window of Childhood," but Simple Things treats the story of the doctor's son as a fitfully visited subplot, despite the fact that the children turn in the only good performances in the movie. (Nicole Channing's performance is actually stunning ... her career is one to watch.)

Cameron Bancroft is completely wooden in his role, and does more than the rest of the cast put together to murder the movie. He curiously displays no interest in helping his mourning son, and never even touches him except during a medical emergency. The other adult actors are poor as well. Bellamy Young comes across as an annoying goody two-shoes in the role of the town's mayor.

Finally, the message is hopelessly muddled. Is it about opening yourself up to the people you serve, or doing everything you can to win the big promotion?

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.

Didn't they do this basic format in Doc Hollywood? At least that was funny, well acted and had charm. This one rots your teeth!

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.

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.