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.
