I have to say first off that this movie portrays the south in a way that the people in southern georgia where it was filmed apparently did not appreciate, at least acodring to the IMDB comments. That said, I thought it was a masterpiece though there is some suspension of disbelief required.
It seems unklikely that people who live so close to a modern looking town would be sub amish in their gullibility and innocence. I think young Naomi would have had an army of male callers to teach her about the big bad world. it's almost like a twilight zone episode in this respect. The government, always a force for putting a wrench in the works of the way things are supposed to be in southern cinema, gives the family 8,000 dollars for some of their land they are using to build an expressway. They decide to go to a carnival. It wouldn't be much of a story if they had a good time and came home, so of course all hell breaks lose and Naomi and her brother Bruvver ( yep) soon fall prey to the non governmental but still evil carny people.
The film has a fair amount of heartbreak for the viewer, but the director is at least merciful and there is plenty of comic relief along the way. The movie was a pleasure to watch because despite all these issues . It's laid back and natural in a good way and, of course, Sixteen year old Naomi (Simone Griffeth later of Death Race 2000) is beautiful and worth the price of admission alone. the family is likeable and funny . Also, there is a controversial scene involving Naomi and Bruvver that is actually quite innocent though admittedly uncomfortable. Nothing to skip the movie over.
