While travelling to a new job in California, ambitious doctor Benjamin Stone (Michael J Fox) crashes his car in a small South Carolina town and is sentenced to carry out community service at the local hospital.
Given temporary accommodation in a lakeside cabin, Stone’s sagging spirits are lifted when a beautiful girl emerges from the water.
Revelling in local idiosyncrasies, director Michael Caton-Jones gives the film a lovely golden glow as Fox’s dreams of becoming a rich cosmetic surgeon are put on hold.
It’s insubstantial, but corny fun all the same, and Fox is as charming as ever. The talented supporting cast includes Woody Harrelson, Bridget Fonda, and David Odgen Stiers. Look out for a neat cameo from George Hamilton near the end.
Dr Benjamin Stone
Michael J Fox
Lou
Julie Warner
Dr Hogue
Barnard Hughes
Henry “Hank” Gordon
Woody Harrelson
Nick Nicholson
David Ogden Stiers
Lillian
Frances Sternhagen
Dr Halberstrom
George Hamilton
Nancy Lee
Bridget Fonda
Melvin
Mel Winkler
Maddie
Helen Martin
Judge Evans
Roberts Blossom
Cotton
Tom Lacy
Aubrey Draper
Macon McCalman
Simon Tidwell
Raye Birk
Nurse Packer
Eyde Byrde
Lane
William Cowart
Violet
Amzie Strickland
Kyle
Time Winters
Mary
K T Vogt
John Crawford
Jordon Lund
Mortimer
Robert Munns
McClary
Douglas Brush
Shulman
Barry Sobel
Director
Michael Caton-Jones