The Immigrant Garden

A truly wonderful, simple film about a time past. Excellent for the whole family. I enjoy period pieces and being born and raised in rural Washington, this movie was of particular interest. The lack of typical movie contrivances (violence, sex, foul language) is refreshing. The setting for the movie, Oakville WA, is about 15 minutes from my summer cabin in Elma WA so am familiar with the countryside portrayed. The actual town of Oakville (the movie was actually filmed near Centralia, about 15 minutes away) still has the charm portrayed in the film. Certainly it makes us wish for a simpler time...

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone. Surprisingly complex characters for such a simple film. The use of local, unknown actors, for the most part, has been used in other films but works particularly well here. You feel as though you are watching conversations between actual people vice a scripted/staged situation.

We loved this movie and recommend it to everyone we meet. Would love to see it come to the big screen.

A gentle story from simpler times. A wonderful reminder of how life was before we all became "plugged in." This story is told in a way that also reminds us of the importance of staying in touch with our past. The story develops in a sensitive and powerful way. The writing poetic, the directing deliberate. I would enjoy seeing more films of this caliber. A simple story, sweetly told, one in which each person can in some way relate. No exploitation, violence, sex, greed, or death. For me, a true "breath of fresh air."

This film had an impact on me that is very different from what you generally see on the large screen or TV movies. The timing gave the impression of realism -- you felt you actually were there in the scenes. The story plot was appealing -- particularily to women in general -- the growth of a woman's own insight into her own development and independence. Finding it during the nurturing of a garden -- and with the reinforcing written inspirations from a distant elder, brings this young girl compounding insight. For myself gardening is one of the more spiritual, grounding activities one can do for oneself. Caroline Wood's beautifully written words gave this movie something quite unique. It was poetry in motion, believable and with an impactful messagel. In a time of so much violence, its quite refreshing to see a return to innocent and realistic romanticism.

I never have been one for period family films (Tim Burton and Jerry Bruckhimer are my role models), but I have to say, this film was very well done. It has this "Anne of Green Gables" thing to it. Most of the family pieces I have seen are very predictable, but this one wasn't. I found it to be a very cute movie and, assuming it is available on video, is something I plan on giving my Mom on her birthday or Mother's day.

Using amateur actors with professional production and direction the outcome is excellent. Filmed in Washington State. A project written and acted by local talent. It is the direction the movie industry should be going so that more people can see a "good" movie more often. A must see for people who want to see a "good" movie.