User reviews

Sidney Poitier is still a great actor and this film is a demonstration of his skills. Here he is a carpenter touched by his tough life, which taught him to work as much as possible without hurting anyone. But one day some people wanted to take him away of his land and the tragedy started for him. However he took it as part of life and fought against it with patience and showing himself calm. The morale of the film is simply excellent.

I think this is a very under-rated movie. It won't appeal to many people perhaps, but for a safe, wholesome, pure, lovely movie about the unattractiveness of selfishness, there's few better. The plot is simple but effective, the speed slow, there's no action, no violence, no comedy, no special effects, little drama even (but watching the trailer above reminded me that there's more in the movie than I remembered).

I went away from the movie more relaxed than perhaps from any other that I've ever seen.

For those who want artificial excitement to escape for a while, go elsewhere. For those who want to have their high standards and morals encouraged, go out of your way to watch this once in your life.

Refreshing movie with a great message. I would recommend this to anyone. Direct, simple, and filled with clear truths about the importance of the honest basics of life. Stands out nicely amongst the usual made for TV fare. Make be uncomfortable to watch for anyone who has a difficult time explaining truthfully, what they do to make a living to their children.

I run a small video store in North Carolina. I had never heard of this movie until we got it on VHS. I decided it looked like a nice film so I watched it. I have seen it 15 times since then. Everyone I recommend it to either calls or leaves a note to tell me how much they LOVED this movie. So go to your local video store and rent it. Stop by the store and get some wine or hot cocoa, put on the most comfortable clothes you own and kick back and enjoy this movie.

I totally enjoyed this movie. The story line was interesting and the acting was good. Poitier and Parker did an excellent job. The supporting actors were good too. I thought it was very good for a TV movie. The flashbacks were great filling in the background information, with smooth transitions and was easy to follow. It had variety with some humor and a lot of drama. The ending was satisfactory which is a big thing to me. You leave the movie feeling good. I loved it and bought my own copy. Highly recommended. Appropriate for children - another big plus for me. There was no offensive language, sex or violence. My teenage children watch it with me and like it too.

Noah is a carpenter who lives on 35 acres that a big real estate giant wants to build one of their cheesy malls on. This man effects people in one of two ways, either their lives are changed forever or they just don't get it. You feel sorry for the ones that don't get it but not very sorry. Sidney Poitier is as hauntingly charismatic in this film as he was in "Lilies of the field" the first time I saw him in films. This is a good film to relax and enjoy and ponder how beautiful the earth is and how wise Noah is.

Sidney Poitier is perfect as the reclusive Noah Dearborn, with all support cast doing what they needed agreeably. As might be expected within this genre, the script tended to be a little heavy on the 'bad' guys (but thankfully not all). Some changes in certain character developments might have played out better if it was just a bit longer in running time (?) There were also a couple of dramatic situations that seemed to be perhaps underdeveloped or not followed through enough. All that aside, this is an agreeable story with enough interesting situations, and good relationships to keep most viewers engaged throughout. Mary-Louise Parker does surprisingly well with her important, pivotal psychologist character. Diane Wiest was nominated for an Emmy. & it's all very good to look at photographically. A thoughtful Afternoons watch.

I thought this film was great... I'm not one who needs constant action or special effects, but this one had an interesting story, it seemed well put together, and the language etc. is suitable for most family members. On the whole, one of the best films I have seen in a while.

This is such a charming, heart warming movie. Great family picture and appropriate for all ages. Surprised I never heard of it before now. Wish people made more movies like this.

This was one of the better movies I've seen this year. "Noah" is especially needed at a time when we are being bombarded with violent, negative and depressing cinema from movies like "Fight Club", "American Beauty", and "A Simple Plan". What a positive, up-beat, feel-good movie. It was refreshing to see great movies are still being made, even though they unfortunately are not box-office hits and you usually have to turn over a few stones to find them. That's why I particularly like the IMDB forum. It makes the mining for great movies like "The Simple Life Of Noah Dearborn" that much easier.

Ms.M. Louise-Parker and Mr. S. Poitier as well as the rest of the cast and crew did an excellent job in presenting this heartfelt story. A story that told the truth for so very many people in this country that will in no way have such a spectacular ending. Many times it is the children that take away their parents properties. They break the spirit of their loved ones in conjunction with land developers/or whom ever the interested party may be, and most often the victims are committed or die of a broken heart. It did not matter that Dearborn was so perfect, (Guess Whose Coming to Dinner?) most victims are not clean and healthy and strong. The powers that be were determined. In realty Louise-Parker would have been taken away never to be seen again. The performances of Dearborn made all of us feel much more than they presented to the viewers. This is writing and production at its finest with a happy upbeat ending white puppy and all. These are the movies that we as a people would have return to our screens. If not completely, then at least several times a year. At least they offer hope and faith...something that this planet is at this time so very short on. To The 'Simple Life of Noah Dearborn' we say thank you and BRAVO!!!!!!

I rented this movie on VHS video to watch with my family, and I just loved it. Each character is so well done, with a resounding role by Sidney Poitier as Noah Dearborn. This movie is a great movie and makes you feel as if you are an unnoticed observer in the picture.

If you love a movie that makes you feel good and think about life, rent "The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn" Tonight.

They just do not make movies like this anymore. It brings out all the emotions and a lot of life lessons. Sidney Portier is great as usual, and SLP really puts on her acting chops. Dianne Weist has always been a favorite and does not disappoint. I recommend this movie to everyone and any age.

I thought that this movie was a wonderful feel good movie. The performances by all of the characters were incredible. Seeing a movie like this makes me enjoy watching movies when others trash up the screen. Sidney Poitier again shows why he has helped to shape the guidelines that actors strive to achieve. Thanks to anyone connected with this movie.

I just saw this movie on TV by chance - I really didn't realise how good it would be. I really enjoyed this movie, and found it heart-warming and emotional to watch. Great acting and interplay with the characters too.

There is something about this unique simple movie which is really charming and will just draw you in. It makes a really great change to the usual rubbish movies that are dished out from Hollywood.

This film shows you don't need special effects, sex or profuse swearing to make a good movie - It is so simplistic yet so effective - it will make you cherish the small simple things in life, and leave you feeling in a really positive mood. When you watch this movie, you will suddenly feel like going outdoors too(!) - Watch it and see - It was almost like reading a good book for me rather than watching a movie - it had that special charm to it. Great stuff.

Didn't know what this movie was about, but if you ever lived in the country or small town, and longed to go back, This movie is a delight. The movie had a simple story line that kept you wishing that you were there. I commend the writers and producers for the film.

Love this movie and have seen it a number of times. A great story of giving by a solitary man in a small town. Enjoyed mary louise parker as well. Noah just wants to be left alone and the people around him gives him support in his time of need.

Noah Dearborn, Sidney Poitier (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, To Sir with Love) is a carpenter who is very good at his craft. He lives on a farm by himself. He loves being left alone, and loves his work. That has kept him young. He lives in a small town and Sarah McClellan, Dianne Wiest (The Horse Whisperer, Practical Magic) is his best friend. She also bakes very good pies, which the entire town likes, especially Noah. The developer Christian Nelson, George Newbern (From the Earth to the Moon) wants to purchase Noah's land. Noah does not want to sell it. The developer dates a psychiatrist, Valerie Crane, Mary-Louise Parker (The Client, Fried Green Tomatoes). Developer, Christian Nelson, wants his girl friend to declare Noah incompetent in order to get the land. In the process, the psychiatrist decides that people should have a life style as simple as Noah. She defends Noah and in the process they become friends. Valerie Crane goes to the farm where she was born and raised to get the feeling for the simple life, and dumps her boyfriend. I watched the movie and enjoyed it very much, perhaps because I have made the decision to live a simple life and do what I love to do. Sidney Poitier portrays a simple man but charming and elegant man.

I was so moved by this movie. It's such a beautiful, touching story. I highly recommend it. I found myself disappointed at the end of the movie, Noah Dearborn was such an incredibly magnetic character, I wanted to know him better, keep learning from this gentle, wise, consummate teacher. Sidney Poitier at his finest, he is brilliant in this role, as if he were born to play Noah. The imagery is spectacular, the movie touches really all of your senses. Rarely does a movie come through so refreshingly rich with imagery, a complete breath of fresh air. One of my very favorite movies of all time. Absolute joy, entertainment as it should be.

I watched this movie twice. I think it was a wonderful movie. I realize today's nihilistic generation calls simple wisdom and gentle goodness by such epithets as "sappy morals" and "hackneyed lines", "platitudes" and - it is as if the only innovative plots and topics are those that have to deal with sex and drugs, satanism and destruction. If these topics are what today's maturity is all about, I want no part of it. You can take American Pie, Fight Club, American Beauty, and the rest of your critically acclaimed trash, watch it over again if you want. But this is not the place for this discussion I suppose. And what of Noah being a "carpenter god" and always involved with his work? Is it still OK for a man to love what he does? Is it still OK, in this age of families who uproot every few years to move to the next city that provides a rung up in the career ladder, in this age where books like "Who Moved My Cheese" now mock those who have decided to stay where they are, in this age of consultants and temp workers, is it still OK to anchor down? Today's prevailing "cultural" attitudes and tastes for movies and entertainment dealing with degradation are moving us toward the world portrayed in Clockwork Orange. Is that what you want? I'll take Noah's world anyday.

In this adorable television movie, George Newbern is a real estate developer. He has his eye on a rural property in a small town, owned by a very old man. When he approaches the landowner, he's adamant about not selling, so to get his way, George recruits his psychologist girlfriend, Mary Louise Parker, to meet with the man and say he's mentally unfit to keep his property. But when she goes to the town, she's instantly charmed by the man and other residents.

There's so much to love about this movie. While I normally find Mary Louise to be obnoxious, she's actually sweet in this film and didn't get on my nerves. Sidney Poitier plays the title role in his second-to-last film, and he's just as dashing and charming as he was forty years earlier. Everyone in town loves Sidney, and it's easy to see why, since he makes beautiful furniture and is also the local handyman. Dianne Wiest has such a big crush on him that she purposely breaks things in her house just to get him to come over! It's so adorable, and they have a darling rapport together.

Sterling Anderson's script is both truthful and cute in its description of Sidney's character—and thereby, Sidney himself. Every single person in the story references how handsome and youthful Sidney is, even though he's supposed to be very, very old. If you like Sidney Poitier movies, or Hallmark-esque feel-good movies, you'll love The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn. I do!

Wonderful heartwarming movie with some incredible actors especially Sidney Poitier. What's not to love?!