Dr. Evan Gibbs (Cameron Bancroft) and his son Nate are in mourning. Their wife and mother has died and both father and tween are needing a fresh start. For Dr. Gibbs, he is anxious to leave his present practice and become the head of pediatrics in a large Chicago hospital, a new venue. Although he is qualified, the hospital human resource director is still not certain Evan would be the right fit. Therefore, he asks Dr. Gibbs to spend the summer in a rural North Carolina community, where he will be challenged in many ways. If he makes it through this test, the job is his. Having no other choice, Evan and Nate land in NC, both very reluctantly, for they are city dwellers. There isn't even cable! Yet, Nate is sought out by two curious kids who wish to make friends, easing his initial misgivings. Dr. Evan, on the other hand, struggles, for the townfolks seem mighty uncouth, except for the pretty mayor, Terry (Bellamy Young). Yet, once Gibbs begins to help those in medical need, he grows more connected to the backwards area. Will he and Nate end up in Chicago or take a detour? This is truly a lovely, admirable, enjoyable film for the whole wide world. Its story is touching and rooted in reality while the handsome Bancroft and the beautiful Young make a great twosome for romance fans. Naturally, the setting is rustically eye-catching while the direction is solid, capturing the slower pace of country life. Tired of toxic television and questionable entertainment choices? You can remedy that by securing a view of this fine flick.

Coming off a viewing of a very odd and awful comedy that was more concerning than it was funny, I didn't have high expectations for "Country Remedy" I was merely looking for something to make me forget about the previous movie I had just watched. Usually I try to go into a movie not expecting anything, a sorts of a neutral playing field if you will. Upon the opening scene, I was intrigued and knew that this film had some promise. Within a half hour of watching this, I was not able to turn it off even if I wanted to. The story is simple. Father, Evan and Son, Nate lose wife/mother, Father is one of the top Pediatricians in Chicago. His boss not sure his head is in the right place for the Head of Pediatrics and tells him if he's willing to go to a small mountain town in North Carolina to help out with the Clinic, and get a good recommendation from the mayor there, that he's sure to lock up the coveted Head of Pediatrics position. To the dismay of Nate, Evan accepts his boss' challenge. Upon arriving in Dunn's Rock, North Carolina, Evan and the new clinic is seemingly unwanted, and unaware of the future challenges that face Evan he must overcome professional and personal obstacles in terms of Nate, who is a bit lonesome while grieving the loss of his mother. While Evan also tries to win over the locals, but realizes that words of wisdom wont get him anywhere and he must use his skills to overturn the skeptical townsfolk.Nate meets two kids about his age, one in particular, Christina aka 'Chris' who shows Nate that while the City may be full of bright lights and all, the country is a forest full of adventures with magical powers. The subplot and secondary story lines have possibly hidden lessons, that while the film doesn't dwell on them or preach them, it does manage to get them across in a non- threatening way. For example the romanticism between Evan and the Mayor, while you know its there, it isn't exploited and is an excellent compliment to the overall picture.The acting is brilliant. Believable, subtle and simple. Some featured characters, such as Slyder may be overlooked but Mickey Jones, whom you may recognize from Home Improvement as "Pete Bilker" steals a few scenes and is a good comic relief. Edie McClurg as Nurse Maggie is the perfect fit for the role. While Aidan Mitchell and the rest of the cast was also great, the top two performers of the cast were Cameron Bancroft (Evan) and Channing Nichols (Christina 'Chris' Hudson). Bancroft with a resemblance to Kevin Bacon, was very believable as Evan, a highly-skilled and highly successful Pediatrician that is having difficulty not only grieving the loss of his wife, but also relating to his son, Nate. Channing Nicols, the then 14 year old with at the time only one movie and a few TV appearances under her belt, didn't show any sign of being a "rookie". While not having to switch from emotion to emotion much, when she did, she rivaled the top actors and actress' her age. The film while teetering on the fine line of Country town vs Big City, is able to walk that line and it never crosses it, instead it focuses on the issue that it first showed us in the opening scenes. The writing got this movie to goaline and the acting punched it in the endzone for a victory.This film is a great family film that has heart, comedy, drama. If you watch a lot of films, this movie may seem a bit predictable, but to the casual movie goer you should be pleasantly surprised.Rated PG for Thematic elements and Language. To add: There's a couple drinking scenes, and couple of dramatic moments, and does deal with losing a loved one, 7-8 and older should be fine.

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.

this is a calming nice movie. rare! the performances were just fine. subtle and under acted, which is a good thing. the "mountain folk" had some caricatures, but in the end, all were good people. great to watch with kids, mine, 3 & 9, watched this calm talking movie with interest, just as much as watching flashing zip zap action cartoons and laugh track Disney shows which is pretty much all the choices there are. i hope more movies like this come out. it hit on some serious issues with subtlety and a sense of reality like a well staged play. my kids learned some strength things here. kudos to crew, actors, writing, director. my only real critique, and i hope the DP learns from this, which may have been due to budget & constraints, but the lighting felt a little too even handed, too well lit. but i am picky about that and like my fog machines, rays of light, dark shadows and negative space. course i'm a monster scifi geek myself.