Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (1995)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Sadly Over-hyped

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It's 1980. Recent widower Kate Easton (Polly Draper) moves her daughter Beth (Christina Ricci) from L.A. to Wheaton, Washington into the farm inherited from her aunt. Beth struggles with small town life and befriends tomboy black sheep Jody Salerno (Anna Chlumsky). They don't get along at first but they bond over Winnie the Pooh and their dead fathers. Jody has a troubled home life with mother Lynette (Diana Scarwid) and her boyfriend Ray Karnisak (David Keith). Jody tells Beth about Bear Mountain and the legend of gold miner Molly Morgan.This starts great with two charismatic child actresses in an outdoors adventure that is often left for the boys. Their relationship is interesting. They even get on a boat like all great adventures. The caves are the first signs of trouble. They are grim, artificial, and not magical. What starts as a great adventure turns into a melodrama. The adults are all dumber than the kids. I want this to be Goonies or even Stand by Me. Instead, it teases that but gives something less. In the end, there is still the compelling friendship.

I have grown to love this film and who have seen this film a zillion times. This movie is based on what friendship really means.The film takes place back in 1980 where Beth Easton(played by Christina Ricci) moves to a small town up north with her mother. There she meets the towns "trouble maker" Jody Salerno(played by Anna Chlumsky) who is right at home in the woods surrounding her. Eventually Beth finds out from the towns people that Jody is impossible to become friends and to not be trusted. Beth somehow sees behind this and how she could be the link to finding adventure. Together they discover a legendary women who possibly hid gold in a cave called Bear Mountain. With there friendship growing more as they trace the steps in finding the gold there becomes a set back.Jody who is symbolized as the bad girl in town is revealed as the girl who is a victim of child abuse from her mom's alcoholic boyfriend. And with an incident that leads Jody no choice to leave the town. Beth pleads to Jody to just come out and tell the truth. But with a plan that is set becomes to change again to where Jody has to save Beth from drowning who is stuck underneath a rock and a tide that's fast approaching. It's a race between time for Jody to stop thinking of herself and to go the extra mile for her friend. Jody does come through for Beth, but soon it is Beth who is to return the favor and show the towns people that Jody is not who they all think she is. With a stash of gold waiting to be found it's a race of finding that true friend who will go through that extra mile. And realizing that sometimes "Some Friendships are worth a fortune!!"

I remember when I was 8 or 9, I saw this and recored it to video, I lost it and hadn't seen it since. I remembered about it last year and got it and I have to say some of it a bit cheesy but still really good.The story is really good and keeps you interested. It's not just about finding treasure, its about loyalty and caring for your best friend. Some really good history flash back scenes of Molly Morgan.The connection with the characters were excellent,it really gets you involved in the film. Its really good to see how Beth and Jody develop as they are together. Jody becomes very caring when Beth is in trouble. Also Beth becomes a lot more adventures like Jody.Anna Chlumpsky and Christina Riccy did very well for the parts of Beth and Jody. Also some other good acting performances. The only two actresses that weren't brilliant were the two girls that Beth met after first meeting Jody, they were average but not amazing.The direction was excellent by Kevin James Dobson, some really good long shots of scenery.There are some cheesy moments in the film, for example the beam of light that shines from the mountain and goes straight to Beth and Jody on the boat. These moments don't happen through out the whole film to ruin it.I really wished they changed the ending, I wont say it just encase you haven't watched it.Other than that its a really good family film, even I still think its really good.Its definitely a good film to watch with your family on a rainy day.

I loved this movie but then I guess I love anything Christina Ricci is in. But this is great for family time it is the mini- Indiana Jones and it was set in the pacific norhtwest that in itself gives it high marks.