It's 1978. Big Stone Gap is a coal mining town in the mountains of Virginia. Ave Maria Mulligan (Ashley Judd) is the 40 year old spinster who runs her late mean-spirited father's pharmacy. After her mother's death, she gets a letter from her revealing her real Italian biological father. She has a longtime love of quiet miner Jack MacChesney (Patrick Wilson) but gold-digging divorcee Sweet Sue Tinsley (Jane Krakowski) has set her sights on him. Fleeta Mullins (Whoopi Goldberg) is her one employee.

This is a lot of Hollywood types trying to play hillbillies. It's a wacky artistic group with too many lacking the prerequisite red necks. Judd and Wilson can pass for photogenic country folk but there are too many other wacky coasters. Elfman and Goldberg don't fit. This lacks the authenticity of a 70's coal mining town. Even poor Pearl Grimes' family has a nice house. The coal mining has no realism. It's a bunch of guys with hand shovels. I do like the actors and characters overall. Judd and Wilson are an appealing romantic pairing. It's not quite enough to overcome the lack of a ramshackle setting or believable town folks. have been more intensity but Fry is good.

The film takes place in 1978 in the small mining town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It centers on Ave Maria Mulligan who is "the town spinster" and owns the pharmacy. Her boyfriend is Theodore Tipton (John Benjamin Hickey) an outsider. It is clear her heart is with Jack MacChesney (Patrick Wilson) who likewise had loved her since the sixth grade. Jack works in the mines and is dating Sweet Sue (Jane Krakowski) a single mom who oozes with love and affection. The deck is stacked against them.

The film had its mildly humorous moments, but is clearly not a romantic comedy. It is a feel good formula romance. It won't win any awards, but there was nothing bad about the feature. Whoopi Goldberg had a role slightly less than her billing, but was still entertaining. Dagmara Dominczyk who plays Elizabeth Taylor in the film is Patrick Wilson's off screen wife.

If a simple small town formula feel good romance is what you want to watch, look no further.

No swearing, sex, or nudity.

This adaptation is dramatic, interesting, and a great period piece. I really like that the cast of this film is filled with recognizable actors and actresses who make it a great film.

In a small town in Virginia, the life of middle aged spinster, Ave Marie (Ashley Judd) is shaken up and permanently altered when, after a semi-anticipated unfortunate event, she discovers a family secret that has been buried for a long time. While she tries to figure out why things are the way they are, her eyes are opened to situations and experiences that she never noticed. Ave Marie makes a life altering decision and as a result the whole town unravels.

Since this film is a period piece, I was really intrigued as I watched it. I love all of the romantic aspects that are displayed throughout this film. Along with the romance and bits drama, Big Stone Gap offers great comedy, which really separates the dramatic pieces nicely and gives this film great balance. My favorite character would have to be Fleeta (Whoopi Goldberg) because of the comedy she gives to the film and also because of the boldness and confidence in her character.

Over all, I cannot say this I have a favorite scene, every bit of story line is interesting and entertaining, I will say this all the scenes with Fleeta are very nice to watch due to the way her character interacts with others. Another aspect that I greatly enjoy is the wardrobe, because of how much it's involved in this story, the clothing that is worn, adds different details to each and every character and their personality. Even though sometimes I am a bit confused about the plot line, everything clears up in the end.

A message that I found in Big Stone Gap is that life is always changing, and nothing is set in stone. Another message is that sometimes life is unfair, and we shouldn't dwell on all the inconveniences in life for too long.

I recommend this film for ages 9 to 18, due to its slight suggestive content. I give it 4 out of 5 stars, because of its comedy, romance, and cast.

Big Stone Gap is in theaters October 9th, so please check it out. Reviewed by Brianna B., Age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.