Unlimitedia Sick Product of a Sick System

SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Saarah N Iyou're looking for a sweet, Christian, country film...Look no further. This film centres around a young doctor(portrayed by Candice Cameron Buré) who plans a trip with her boyfriend. She is set to meet him at the destination, rather than travel with him. During the road trip she encounters a problem and is stuck behind bars- at a loss, with no money to post bail, she is forced to do community service as the small town of Normal's doctor, for three days.She is dead set against making the most of the hold-up, which comes as no surprise- she is a city girl, after all. But as the days progress, she begins to question her life in the city- was that life all she ever wanted? She begins to question the value of her city career, and after meeting a wise, older doctor, she questions the ethical nature of her medical practices. Predictably, she also begins to doubt her relationship with her boyfriend of five years (the same one she is supposed to meet)- and this is only after another (more romantic but less educated?) prospect arrives at the scene.And that is this film's biggest downfall: not because it was cliché but because it was unbelievable: half a decade is a really long time, and to think in all that time she had been ignorant of the pleasures of a simple life is wholly unrealistic and makes her seem quite foolish. If she had run into a long lost love or 'the one that got away', maybe I'd be more understanding- but with this, I'm honestly doubting her attraction to the country boy (as he refers to himself- he is portrayed by Trevor St. John). Their relationship seemed too platonic. However, if you're looking for a happy ending (or an ending that will please any romantic), this is definitely for you. Conversely, if you're looking for a more realistic story, I recommend Before We Go 2014 (starring Chris Evans) or Last Night 2010 (starring Keira Knightley). It's just that the romantic love seemed like an infatuation- nothing cement. They may have shared a few deep conversations but, to me, they amounted to nothing. It was foolish of her to throw away five years for three days. But then again, I don't know know how love works. No one really does.Side note: The Louisiana accents are on-point, you may have to rewind to know what is being said! The casting choices were also commendable, especially the ol' wise guy (portrayed by Lou Beatty Jr.) was an excellent choice! I adored the character's wisdom, his sincerity and his words were perfectly timed- as an actor, he performed well. I also liked the character of the country boy- he too was a 'smart guy' but then again his intelligence was "just average for a country boy."

hazletine-dooley There are so many errors in this film, it is nearly ludicrous.A successful woman surgeon, leaving Los Angeles to drive to New York for a job in the Hamptons where she will making obscene amounts of money is caught speeding and, unable to pay the fine, she sentenced to three days' community service in a small rural NC town. She is taken under the wing of the judge, a black man who guides her through several poignant experiences and community gatherings wherein she finds God and changes the direction of her life.The whole premise of the movie is preposterous, but the part I resent is the portrayal of a non-existent idyllic lifestyle in small rural NC town without the recognition of the rampant poverty that exists in such towns.The notion that a small, apparently all white rural NC town would hero worship a black man, making him their spiritual, civic, and legal leader is preposterous. Furthermore, it is most unlikely that in NC, a black man would have been allowed to adopt white children in the 80's, or even now for that matter.That a Yankee would find such an immediate welcome in a small NC town is questionable.The idea that providing leftovers from a pancake breakfast to those in need is a laudable act worth mentioning in an area where one in four children is undernourished in abominable.I could rant on, but I won't.

utgard14 Candace Cameron Bure plays a doctor traveling from Los Angeles to her wedding in the Hamptons when she's pulled over for speeding in the town of Normal, North Carolina. Because she has a lot of unpaid tickets, she's taken before a country judge who sentences her to serve as the town's doctor for three days to pay off her fine. While there she starts to fall for the small town and one local man (Trevor St. John) in particular.What a pleasant surprise this was. I think it's impossible to dislike Candace Cameron Bure unless you have some serious personality issues. She's likable, pretty, and endearing. The supporting cast is good, too. A lot of times in these types of TV movies, you have a couple of recognizable leads and then a bunch of bland Canadians (I kid, I kid) filling out the rest of the cast. But here the cast is full of personable actors. Lou Beatty, Jr. is a standout and nearly steals the movie. The sheriff's deputy and the little girl are also very nice. My only real problem with the cast is Trevor St. John playing the small town guy Candace's big city doctor is inevitably supposed to fall for. For starters, his accent is a bit much. Everybody in the town has a Southern accent but this guy is full-on Gomer with it. Also, his character is kind of a jerk from the moment we first meet him. Throughout most of the movie, there's this condescending air about him that I didn't quite like. Nice kiss at the end with Candace, though. Pretty hot for this type of movie, I gotta admit.As others have pointed out, the story is similar to the Michael J. Fox movie Doc Hollywood. Although Candace does very little doctoring, really. There are some plot gremlins, as well. For one thing, she has to stay in the town to serve out her sentence because they don't accept credit or debit cards (really?) and the town's only ATM is broken. Also, she apparently has no checks because "where I come from we don't use those." Well this is all just contrived silliness. She could probably call her bank and have the money transferred or any other of a half-dozen solutions that would end the movie's plot before it really begins. Also, the outstanding tickets that she has are not local so I'm sure Los Angeles would not be thrilled to know that instead of getting its money, this lady worked a few days as a doctor in Mayberry. But this is all just hole-poking and perhaps a bit unfair so I would advise just shutting your brain off and enjoying it for what it is.Some of the critiques I've read come from reviewers with obvious axes to grind and personal agendas to pursue. This movie has no pretense about being what it is nor does it try to be sneaky or subversive. I watched it on a channel that primarily shows Christian-themed programming. I knew it was going to be a movie of a certain type. If I (or anybody else) was uncomfortable with that, why watch it? Yet some people apparently did watch it, all the while with their fists clenched over the perceived outrage being perpetrated on them. Takes all kinds I guess. Things do go off the rails a little bit when they bring the ACLU into the plot. It just seems pretty unbelievable that so much is happening in this small town during Candace's brief stay. But, again, suspension of disbelief is our friend here.So, final result is that it's a very nice TV movie despite its flaws. Charming turns from Candace Cameron Bure and Lou Beatty, Jr. go a long way to making it work. Speaking of Mr. Beatty, I would like to address a comment by another reviewer. The reviewer said that this movie was a "poor remake of Doc Hollywood but with less black people." What an asinine statement. I didn't realize there was a set number of people of any kind that every movie had to have. But since the reviewer saw fit to go there, I would just like to point out that Lou Beatty's character is more important to the plot of this film than any black character in Doc Hollywood was.

Jim32792 The first two reviews tell you all you need to know about the plot, but this is a story that will warm your heart and you will want to watch it several times. I just watched for the third time tonight. Candace does her usual good job as Lisa, a surgeon headed to Long Island, to make a fortune with her boyfriend Steve, also a doctor, by making house calls for the rich at $2500 a visit. In Normal she finds a lot of very nice people, who are just happy being who they are and caring enough about one another, to help each other survive whatever problem they seem to be having. A far cry from her former existence in Southern California or the existence she would experience in Long Island where she is headed. You see her falling for this place and the people, little by little. The ending scene is really memorable, and I have watched, just it, many times. The performances are outstanding, especially Lisa, Doc, the little girl and her mother, and Lucas the local love interest.