The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn (1999)

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.

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!!!!!!

Decent TV-movie, but it's unrealistic and this is not my type of movie anyway. There are very few (if any) Hallmark movies that I enjoy, because, again, it's not my favorite genre of movie.Sidney Poitier plays a 91 year old local carpenter and legend, Noah Dearborn who is still in good health and is always working. Developers try to buy him off his land, including up-and-coming lawyer Christian Nelson (George Newbern). He brings his girlfriend and psychologist (Mary-Louise Parker) to try to prove Dearborn isn't of sound man in order to get him off his land.Decent, mushy, sweet premise that will attract some people, I guess. But, the plot holes are numerous. Supposedly Dearborn was born in 1909, yet his house looks like something out of the late 1800s. Dearborn never gets sick. Oh yeah, that's believable. Everybody gets sick once in awhile, it's inevitable ... especially if you're a laborer and work outside a lot (even more likely during winter, which he does). Dearborn is a major figure in the community and goes around town a lot, yet he'd never heard of the Beatles. Also, the film would've been more believable if they'd actually casted someone who was actually 91 years old - at least it would give some credibility to the film. Of course, there is no actor that old who isn't in as good mint condition as Dearborn. (Poitier was born 1927, almost 20 years younger than the character he plays.)Though full of plot holes, there is one good point. Sidney is a great actor, and he pulls this roll off flawlessly, despite horrible preachy lines that kind of weaken the work he put into his roll. As far as the rest of the cast... Well, for the most part, their acting is flat. The writing in the film is also flat (probably the cause of the bad acting). Another reviewer wondered why Poitier's talent is being wasted on these types of movies. I have to ask that too. He's one of the best actors ever, yet, gets sappy rolls like this that weren't thoroughly thought out.This movie really should've been thought out more. But, I guess the audience this movie targeted really don't think about the holes in the plot. I wouldn't ever bother seeing this movie again.Rating: 4/10

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.