THE ADVENTURES OF OCIEE NASH
True grit, a great heart, and wholesome family adventure.
Should You Watch It?
This is a gentle, beautifully filmed family drama about a nine-year-old girl who faces change with courage, good values, and a great heart. Ociee Nash is an appealing role model for children and adults, and the film presents positive moral values in a wholesome setting.
The movie is not flawless. Its dialogue is weak at times, and the script meanders, keeping the story from being as exciting as it could be. Still, the careful acting, beautiful cinematography, and winsome central character help it rise above its low budget.
If you want worthwhile entertainment for the whole family, WORTH THE TRIP.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn 1898, nine-year-old Ociee lives on a Mississippi farm with her father, two brothers, and her dog, “Woofer.” After meeting a gypsy near the creek, Ociee follows her father’s wise counsel and makes a new friend.
When her widowed father decides she needs a different upbringing, Ociee is sent to live with her Aunt Mamie in Asheville, North Carolina. There, the country girl enters a bustling city and must find her way in unfamiliar surroundings.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a worthwhile, commendable film with clear strengths and noticeable flaws. It transcends its low budget through beautiful cinematography and generally careful acting. Keith Carradine is particularly effective as Ociee’s father.
The dialogue is weak at times, and the script meanders. With more attention to the script, the movie would have been more exciting. Even so, its winsome story and endearing central character make it a valiant effort that screens well for children.
The Worldview
The film presents a light Christian worldview with positive moral values. Ociee receives wise counsel from her father, and the story portrays her good values and great heart as strengths that help her face adversity. Lying is rebuked, reinforcing the importance of truthfulness.
The movie also values family, loving guidance, courage, and moral character. Its worldview is simple rather than deeply developed, but it gives children a positive role model and offers wholesome lessons without foul language, alcohol, tobacco, or nudity.
Ociee’s courage and character reflect the biblical call to live wisely and do what is good: “Let us not grow weary of doing good” (Galatians 6:9).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light Christian worldview with positive moral values presented; no foul language; girl falls and skins her arm, little girls fight, girl falls in river, and girls escape from fire; one kiss; no nudity; no alcohol; no tobacco; and, lying rebuked. GENRE: Drama
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Ociee faces unfamiliar circumstances with courage and a good heart. What helps you respond faithfully when life changes?
Joshua 1:9 · Galatians 6:9Ociee’s father gives her wise counsel. Who offers you guidance, and how can you respond when that counsel is difficult?
Proverbs 1:5 · Proverbs 12:15The film rebukes lying. Why does God care about truthfulness, even when telling the truth is uncomfortable?
Ephesians 4:25 · Proverbs 12:22Ociee becomes a role model through her actions. What does it mean to be an example to younger children?
1 Timothy 4:12 · Matthew 5:16The Final Word
Beautifully filmed, wholesome, and endearing, The Adventures of Ociee Nash offers a positive role model and worthwhile entertainment for the whole family. Its meandering script keeps it from greatness, but its strengths make it WORTH THE TRIP.
