The Newcomers (2000) User Reviews

Church play

[mike-3-766221 · 5/10 · 17 May 2014]

Have you ever been driving from A to B, passed a random church to which you've never been, seen a sign that there was a family play about to start, and stopped to go in and watch? If so, then this movie is right for you!

This is a church play, without the communal or family connection you would actually have at your own church. There is a great moral story, but it is delivered by actors who although probably nice people exhibit the skill of a second grader trying to read aloud Shakespeare. The director seems to have at least shaken hands with a real director, perhaps at a Universal Studios Tour, and the music director is most likely the church choir's organ lady who has temporarily switched to a piano and continues to repeat the same three bars over and over for the entire length of the film, varying only slightly between the moods in each scene. I will admit, I think the cinematographer actually had more than a cell phone for the camera, and despite the sophomoric direction actually seemed to get some good angels and lighting. I half expected at each scene's end for the fade to black to be interrupted by curtains parting and the cast to appear on line, holding hands and bowing.

This isn't a terrible movie. Just don't expect anything more Hollywood than a play from a church.

Competent if lackluster

[Brad-61 · 5/10 · 18 April 2003]

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** I rented this DVD because I wanted to see more of Kate Bosworth, the stunningly beautiful star of Blue Crush, and didn't expect much. The Newcomers, though, was okay, kind of like an episode of Seventh Heaven, or the old Davey and Goliath show. A family leaves Boston because the son, Sam, turns in a football player for damaging school property and is harassed by him. If only this were the only problem facing the inner city today! The father is some kind of construction worker and he figures they should pack up and move to the country, but he ends up buying a huge house in Vermont, so they must have had some money. This sad sack family ends up moving across the street from a bitter guy whose dead wife liked the house, and resents strangers because he thinks there after his job. The neighborhood kids terrorize Sam, and Kate Bosworth, who does little in this film except scowl and look good in tights, hates living in the hick town. She does a 180 though when she takes a shine to the gas-pump jockey. Finally Sam and his dog save the mean guy's son from drowning we all learn a lesson in tolerance. The filmmakers seem to look back in fondness to a Norma Rockwell America that doesn't exist anymore. Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh would love it. The kid who plays Sam is pretty believable, and again, there's Kate Bosworth.

'Sweetness' overload.

[CabbageCustard · 4/10 · 25 April 2021]

This movie should come with a health warning - if you're diabetic or have similar health problems that require you to avoid sugar then you need to avoid this movie at all costs. This movie is so sugary sweet it's almost sickening. That's not its only problem though. This movie is so contrived, so derivative, so full of stereotyped characters that you will be forgiven for thinking you've seen it before. You have in a way. You've seen this all before and seen it done much better. There are no surprises here. You could write this yourself. You can guess what is going to happen well before it does - and you'll be correct. A special mention has to be made of the soundtrack, which sounds like one of those syrupy tunes a cheap phone will offer as a ring tone. Maybe that's where it came from. Anyway, it is excruciating and just doesn't let up! Possibly the only interesting thing this movie has to offer is the opportunity to see a number of now-well-known actors before they hit the big time. I guess this movie is the kind of thing you have to do on your way up in Hollywood.

It's impossible to recommend this movie to anyone looking for something remotely entertaining. However, if you're in the market for something bland, colourless and action free that won't tax your brain cells or emotions in any conceivable way, then this is the movie for you.

Tired and predictable. Seen it a hundred times before, and a thousand times better.

[ollie501 · 1/10 · 17 December 2003]

This is a simple, straightforward film, about a family moving away from the city, to start a new life in a small country town. After being subjected to bullying, Sam Docherty, played with absolutely no emotion by Matt McCoy, is forced to make the right decision and testify in court against them. Within ten minutes, the family has moved house, and the eldest daughter is asking where the nearest mall is. At a small garage, Courtney spots the guy who predictably will later become her love interest. Upon paying for their goods, their credit card is declined, and you know from that point on that this entire movie is going to be predictable. Within 25 minutes we are introduced the customary `best friend', in the form of an adorable dog, whom it is decided is a stray, with no apparent regard for any owner it may have been fortunate to have. Enter Sam's new neighbour, `Gil', played by Billy Kay. It is instantly apparent that he is a troublemaker. He has a the stereotypical pierced ear of all young hoodlums. What follows is a feeble attempt at their bullying of Sam, followed by a feigned friendship in the hope of becoming closer to the beautiful Courtney. We also meet an elderly and slightly eccentric lady with a pie to greet the family. What follows is a tired, formulaic tale of a boy, his bullies and his ever faithful dog. `Earring boy', picks on Sam, is chased away by the dog, which looks for all the world like it will lick him death. Father of "earring bully" decides "I don't want you hangin' round new kid"...shortly after this point we learn that his mother died...father raises him alone...blah...blah. The scene of them climbing the fence, with "scared fat kid being scared" may well have been stolen from Stand By Me... The fairground scene equally predictable and nauseating as we see the "romantic interest" blossom, while bad kids steal fireworks, and you just know "sumthin' bad is gonna happen" There's even a "bridge crossing" reminiscent of SBM, at which point "bad earring boy" falls into lake, is naturally saved by boy, just before they all go over the waterfall that wasn't there 2 minutes ago, and the dog has disappeared only to make the customary reappearance at the end of the film when everything turns out happily ever after, the good and bad all become friends, and while playing chess (the way new best buddies always do), along comes baddies daddy, with a peace offering, and a hearty welcome and along comes doggie to be greeted with absolutely no emotion by kid, and they all lived happily ever after. From start to finish, this film is tired and predictable. Even the usually outstanding Paul Franklin Dano and Billy Kay cannot pull this film into life, as the scripting and direction are appalling. This is bland, predictable and formulaic. It is a genuine torture to watch. There are thousands of movie's in this genre, and nearly all do a much better job. If you're looking for a decent `sappy' family film, look elsewhere. Lassie, with Tom Guiry, is a much more enjoyable film, and while as predictable as most of these films are, is at least played out with some passion and enthusiasm. This film draws heavily on stereotypes, religious beliefs, and family values, in a lame attempt to cobble something remotely resembling a story. By the end of the film, the only thing more tired than myself was the film itself. Good points? It's a rather nice dog. Most definitely not recommended viewing; A total disappointment from start to finish.

Ollie

Family Movie Hell

[spgorelick · 2/10 · 16 January 2008]

Every once in a while -- perhaps more frequently than that -- you watch a movie and marvel at the the notion that someone would spend the time and resources to transform a stunningly incompetent script into a feature film. This particular film is so lacking in plot and character development that it is almost a marvel to behold. The motivations of the characters are laughably non-existent. And there is a pervading blandness to the whole affair that would send even the most undemanding young viewers into deep coma.

I can't imagine why I took the time to slog through this unfortunate excuse for entertainment, although I did get a little bit of exercise from constantly shaking my head and wondering how much worse a "family film" could get. How Kate Bosworth and Jeff Fahey got involved is a question best answered by their respective agents.

By the way, the packaging on this DVD suggests, perhaps, that this is a "boy and his dog" movie. It is not. The dog is a random addition that is every bit as disconnected to the "story" as I was.

Avoid this at all costs, and add 90 precious minutes to your life.

Never, ever watch this willingly

[toucanhige · 1/10 · 5 June 2006]

Single most god-awful movie ever created. There was absolutely no characterization at all, let me tell you. The characters? Some father and mother you barely even remember the names of, some random "hot" sister and a boyfriend I completely forgot about until now (just thrown in to keep her out of the way) and a dork of a son. It all starts out with the son being hit by a car by stereotypical jocks..err..well they were some stereotype. They move to the country where there were more stereotypical hicks to pick on him. Or something like that. A few characters were randomly thrown in so they could pretend it was intended to make sense (ex. Jamaican, old lady) but I'm not sure why they were really there. Mainly all you heard was choppy, barely audible dialog, then crappy background music blaring in the background while scenes skipped around like the west was won. Absolutely made no sense, a storyline overused x 10 (but at least the others made sense). By the end of the movie I still had no clue what was going on. World War Two? Maybe. Apocalypse? Perhaps. Brain-Eating Zombies? Well then I might have been interested.

Do. Not. Watch. Children of young ages will get bored easily as I have discovered, and anyone over 12 may jump off a bridge to get away from said movie. Don't waste your time.

Sappy and Predictable

[Scurfield · 3/10 · 7 January 2001]

A big city family that runs into financial difficulties relocates to a small American town to start over. After arriving in the new town the father discovers that he does not have the job he was promised and the wife takes a low paying job despite her husband's objection. The teenage children initially have trouble finding new friends and adjusting to the slow paced life of country living. The antagonist is the extremely unfriendly neighbor from across the street who, for no apparent reason, is openly hostile towards the newcomers. This slow moving film preaches that strong family and religious values will help a family overcome difficulties and prevail over hardship. This is a sappy and predictable film with average acting and no redeeming qualities. Don't waste your time.

a simple movie to pass time...

[webpage-1 · 18 September 2011]

It's not a horrible movie. It's not a good movie. It's a nice, family friendly movie though. No cursing or such. Just a nice little movie about moving to a new neighborhood.

Overacting and underacting. Still, it was a nice to movie to watch on a Sunday afternoon while eating lunch.

A young kid doesn't fit in and the family moves to a small town. He still doesn't fit in...but by one heroic act he is finally accepted. Just a story about the struggle of a kid who wants to fit in...but it's nice.

I guess that's the one word I would use about the movie is "Nice".

Don't expect great acting, or great dialogue, or a fast moving movie. All they showed could have been condensed down into 30 minutes.

Give it a try if you have the time and like simple good feel movies.

Don't go out of your way to watch it if you have a bunch of others on the list.

Couldn't Bear to Finish

[emily-jamison-2014 · 1/10 · 26 December 2014]

The plot and characters were unrealistic and I regret every minute I suffered through this film. I thought it would be somewhat decent, seeing as it had Chris Evans in it and Kate Bosworth isn't bad either. I was so wrong. Kate's character was unbelievably snobby, and for some reason considered desirable by all the males in the movie (which was somewhat laughable.) Chris did a good job from what I saw, but he was barely in the movie and I was immediately disturbed when Kate was so cold towards him (I mean, this is Captain America we are talking about.) The kid wasn't necessarily a bad actor, but the script didn't do him any justice. He was pretty normal, so it was hard to believe he would be bullied (one of the bullies, a very large kid, seemed to be a more typical target.) Additionally, one of the bullies seemed way too old to be hanging out with the other two (he looked to be in his very late teens or possibly even early twenties) and it was hard to believe that they would pick on him right away (what they said to him didn't have any context whatsoever since it was so early.) I stopped watching when the old lady came in. She was downright sufferable and she said poison ivy was red. What the heck? Everybody knows Poison Ivy is green. Overall, I wouldn't watch this unless you really like terrible movies. Oh, and if you're watching it for the beauty that is Chris Evans: don't. That's what I did and I was severely disappointed. He's barely in the film (instead you get the pleasure of experiencing what is the most annoying old lady in history), his character is under- appreciated at first and, from what I gather, he ends up with Kate Bosworth's atrocious character. This film is an absolute disgrace.

refreshing

[refpres · 7/10 · 1 April 2003]

This is a refreshing story and film for children and some adults who would like a somewhat "realistic" film. This film makes you feel almost as though you were sitting right next to the actors while they go about their lives in the movie. Compared to other films, this one is not always "smooth," and some little acts don't always "fit," but you might appreciate the "innocence" and lessons taught by the movie.

Unbelievably naive and shallow

[bgxmbvwsz · 1/10 · 12 November 2021]

It's a sadly clumsy little film, with almost no subtlety. Sickly sweet - almost every scene makes you wince with its superficiality (and there's an amateurish and mawkish musical score to make sure you realise this). The real world has a lot more grit and interest than this. I felt embarrassed for those involved in making it. Sorry, but it's the sort of rubbish film that makes you realise how wonderful and precious good films are!

Simple story and very enjoyable

[monjurshokal · 10/10 · 2 July 2021]

I like this movie a lot. Very simple story and simple family. I like this kind of simple story very much. Simple happy family with a pet. ❤

Where do I start?

[rooster_davis · 2/10 · 7 January 2024]

Boy this movie is about as exciting as 'New - Improved! Vanilla Pudding'. And SO much is SO wrong.

They can't afford to live in Boston - so they move to Vermont? What? And into a house that would run close to a million dollars there with some of the nation's highest property taxes, very mediocre pay levels, and massive taxes on everything. Believe me, if you can't afford to live in Boston, you SURE can't afford Vermont.

Not one person in the whole movie talks with a Vermont accent. Not. A. One. One thing was accurate, when the family showed up at their new house there, the neighbors immediately dissed them as 'flatlanders'. THAT is truth. Anyone who moves there is called a 'flatlandah' and advised that no matter how long they live there, they 'can never be a real Vahmontah' and being told "real Vahmontahs like this' and "real Vahmontahs do that" etc. The place is like a giant clique and they are not eager to welcome flatlanders and that would include people from Boston.

When the young gas station attendant rushes out to pump the gas into the family car... that's not happening there OR anyplace else.

The family DOES go to a church with a woman pastor, that part is realistic, although attending church in Vermont is about as popular as sword swallowing.

But to sum up, this movie is beyond banal and does not in any way represent any sort of a realistic view of Vermont. And in defense of Vermont, the people in the movie are so dumb it's not even fair to real "Vahmontahs". Honestly, this is just the dumbest movie. It could have been written by third-grade class.

And not a single person in the whole movie speaks like a 'real Vahmontah'.