Country Remedy

Parents say
Based on 2 reviews
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Country Remedy
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Country Remedy was released theatrically as Simple Things. Mourning the loss of a loved one is a prominent theme. There's some mild gore in the form of blood on hands and clothing and the showing of a surgical incision. A minor character screams during childbirth, the baby's life is in peril, and (spoiler alert) eventually it dies. There's an incident of bullying with shoving and knocking ice cream out of a kid's hand, but the bullies eventually come around when they're asked to help out. A couple of scenes are dark with scary noises. Profanity includes "poop," "sucks," and "crap." A woman flirts, moves suggestively, and uses mild sexual innuendo. A "lovable town drunk"-type is shown passed out and behaving drunkenly, and his tendency to fall off the bed is played for comedy. He sobers up as the story goes along. The cast is not diverse, but a woman is the town mayor. The main characters are positive role models in the sense that they don't behave badly, but neither the lessons they learn nor the movie's positive messages about how to get along are conveyed very strongly.
Community Reviews
Worthwhile, wholesome, principled centered, memorable, family & individual focus
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Country is where I chose to live as well.
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What's the Story?
Dr. Gibbs (Cameron Bancroft) is a pediatrician who has finally got a chance to be named head of the department at the big-time Chicago hospital where he works. But his boss isn't sure he's really ready to take on the new job considering that his wife passed away just three months ago. So the boss sends Dr. Gibbs to spend the summer in North Carolina, running a clinic for a small, rural community. Dr. Gibbs' son, 10-year-old Nate, is less than thrilled with this last-minute plan. Will a COUNTRY REMEDY help them connect to each other and to the world again?
Is It Any Good?
Country Remedy's heart is in the right place. It's a wholesome, family-friendly movie about a dad and son struggling to find their way while grieving. Unfortunately, the acting's not very strong, and the few things not completely predictable about the plot are broadcast well in advance. It's almost impossible to form real connections with the characters or the story, so although it's fairly harmless, in the end there just doesn't seem to be much point to it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about learning how to fit in, especially if you're someplace new. How does Dr. Gibbs become part of the community? What does he do, or stop doing, to get along and earn people's respect?
Why does Nate run away? Have you ever thought about or tried running away? What happened?
Nate has to use an inhaler. Do you know what it's for? Do you know anyone who uses an inhaler?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 2, 2007
- On DVD or streaming: April 29, 2008
- Cast: Cameron Bancroft, Bellamy Young, Edie McClurg
- Director: Andrew C. Erin
- Studio: Universal Studios
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 102 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: Thematic material and some language
- Last updated: March 30, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love family stories
Themes & Topics
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