When I Find the Ocean

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 can only say that the positive reviews are obviously written by the director or her mother! This movie is bad on all accounts it's a wonder the writer/director/producer actually got these old TV stars on it. They must be so embarrassed to have their names attached. Director show's no perception or discernment when it comes to talent, why would she cast her daughter in the lead role, very bad move. The girl is wooden, shows no emotion or lack of connectivity to the material. Holly also doesn't seem to understand the craft of storytelling, the fact that this movie hasn't been formally reviewed or she's not showing it, is a testament that she knows full well it's a bomb. I don't know how anyone can take her seriously as a filmmaker or actually sign on with anything she's doing. Apparently she's going to write/direct/produce a new film about Bonnie and Clyde! Oh Lordy. And so what if it's her first film, there are many first time filmmakers that are truly brilliant, Holly ain't one of em. Get over it, your film is a waste of time, money.

What a wonderful movie!! It seem that family movies are few and far between these days. It is hard to find a quality film that the whole family can enjoy. It seems like there is little originality left in the movies today, everyone wants to remake one movie or another. Tonya has given us something new. She has succeeded in making a film that touches the heart of old and young alike! Although set in 1965, the topics are still (unfortunately) relevant today. The casting was great...I really enjoyed empathizing with Lily and her family and hating Richard Tyson and the poachers. The score is great...I still get goose-bumps. Being from the area where most of the film was made, I recognized most of the the names of the actors and sites in the film. Thank you Tonya for putting North Alabama on the map. Congratulations on a job VERY WELL DONE!!

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!