When I Find the Ocean

I have to give this 3 stars only because it's a first time effort by an unknown director. The story had some of the same bones as "Bastard Out of Carolina" and the upcoming "Secret Life of Bees" with some "Fried Green Tomatoes" atmospheric shots. The premise of the story, set in 1965 civil rights era Alabama, is an interesting one, about a young girl with a loving family (grandparents and a well-meaning mother) dealing with loss, abuse, and heartache.

The main character, Lily, was played by the director's daughter of the same name. While likable, it was fairly obvious she had no acting skills or training of any sort, and it was not the best idea to put her in the starring role of a movie, especially with polished actors like Dianne Ladd and Graham Greene among others.

This film also reduced some characters to cartoon-like sensibilities, as well as absurd subplots (like wild panthers roaming the Alabama woods???). There's even a scene where young Lily smears shoe polish all over her face to disguise herself as a black child. I had to quit watching after that.

All in all, this movie was pretty awful. It only has some small shining moments in the performances of its veteran actors. This movie could have been much better with a well written script, a more experienced child lead actor and without the beyond ridiculous sub-plots.

I am from the same area as the director of this movie. I really really wanted to like it and I can say without a doubt that this was the absolute worst movie I have ever seen - hands down. The dialogue was in many spots laughable, the director's daughter (and main character) was cute but could not act, and the plot was ridiculous and included a stalking panther and a character in BLACKFACE! As a Southerner, I was offended (as were the other people I saw the movie with) at the ridiculous redneck racist stereotypes that this movie upheld. Even the music, which was good in and of itself was too loud and in many spots didn't remotely go with the scene it was supporting.

I can't say it more succinctly - run for your life!

I can only assume the positive ratings are by friends of the director. Especially the 9 star rating by someone who hasn't even seen the movie!The movie might actually have been semi-decent without the unprofessional, weak and pathetic performance of Lily, the director's daughter. She was embarrassingly poor. I understand this is a first attempt by the director so maybe we should cut her some slack. Okay, but since most of her other credits are as a talent caster and production assistant you'd think she would have done a better job of casting the lead. I will say that this is about the best I've seen Lee Majors act. He was darn good. Amy Redford's performance was disappointing. Story was thin and predictable as well. After Lily had taken her "whuppings" you'd think she'd be in some pain. Yet, both Granpa and Mom put their arms around her several times making me wince, but didn't seem to bother Lily in the least. On the positive side -- the score and the scenery were quite good. The director may have a future as a filmmaker, but she needs to be more judicious in her casting and directing. Good luck.

I've literally never seen a worse movie. The acting was beyond terrible. My husband and I had a wonderful time watching it because we were just constantly getting a kick out of how terrible it was.

Okay! Enough already! I have been reading some of the posts on here and it's driving me nuts. Let me just say this. I agree that this movie is not a huge blockbuster and that there are things that could've been done differently yada, yada, yada. But get this through your skulls! That does not mean other filmmakers are going to look at this area and go "Well, that movie sucked." "That must mean that area sucks.". Because of the movie being a flop doesn't mean the area is any less beautiful or the people are any less talented. It all comes down to the director and in a lot of cases the producer(s). That is who will suffer most. The film industry does not work that way in deciding to come to a certain area for filming. It is understood by people in the business who actually have clues that the reason the movie sucks is not anyone's fault but the director/producer(s). Granted, I know there are probably people who worked on the film who had no right being there, trust me. So we shouldn't be sending out pleas to other movie makers to "Please don't let this have an effect on you coming here, please, oh please.". It just doesn't work that way. If there is a director or producer who does think that way you probably do not want them here anyway. And I would doubt very seriously if Brian Grazer or Ron Howard would be reading these comments, so if you want to write someone about films coming here, start writing you representatives to get some tax incentives for film productions in this state(AL) and I promise you will see more filming. OUT!