Watch Jess Moss

Jess + Moss is a heartwarming coming-of-age drama that explores the deep, unbreakable bond between two cousins as they navigate the complexities of growing up in a small, southern town. The film, directed by Clay Jeter and released in 2011, stars Sarah Hagan as Jess and Austin Vickers as Moss, two young cousins who spend their summer days running wild through the lush countryside that surrounds their family's dilapidated, centuries-old farmhouse.

The film is shot in a dreamlike, poetic style that captures the hazy, lazy days of summer in the south, as well as the timeless quality of Jess and Moss's deep friendship. Over the course of the film, we see the two cousins getting into all sorts of mischief together; they explore abandoned homes and neglected fields, they speak in their own secret language, they sneak into the local swimming pool after hours to fool around in the water.

Despite their tender age, Jess and Moss are deeply aware of the challenges and struggles that face them as they grow up. Jess is struggling with the loss of her parents, who died when she was young, while Moss is grappling with his own sense of identity and place in the world. Together, they form a kind of symbiotic relationship that is base on their shared experiences and their deep, abiding love for one another.

As the summer wears on, Jess and Moss are forced to confront some tough truths about themselves and their lives. Jess begins to realize the profound impact that her parents' death has had on her, while Moss starts to grapple with the limitations and expectations that come with being a young man in a small, conservative town.

The film is incredibly thoughtful and nuanced in the way that it portrays the relationships between Jess, Moss, and the other people in their world. We see the way that the two cousins react to and interact with their family members, their peers, and the other adults in their lives, and we get a sense of the complex power dynamics at play in this tiny, insular community.

One of the most striking things about the film is the way that it balances a sense of childlike wonder with all of the weighty subject matter that it tackles. Jess and Moss are both incredibly resilient and resourceful kids, and they approach every challenge (no matter how big or small) with an infectious sense of enthusiasm and curiosity. Their sense of humor and playfulness is so infectious that it’s impossible not to root for them at every turn.

At the same time, the film also does an incredible job of showing us the darker, more complicated aspects of Jess and Moss's characters. Despite their sunny dispositions, both kids have deep-seated anxieties and insecurities that they're struggling to overcome. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of these struggles, but it never feels heavy-handed or melodramatic.

Overall, Jess + Moss is a truly unique and captivating film that captures the magic and wonder of childhood, as well as the harsh realities of growing up in a challenging and often unforgiving world. Sarah Hagan and Austin Vickers give outstanding performances as Jess and Moss, respectively, and the film as a whole is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit. If you're looking for a film that will leave you feeling moved, inspired, and deeply connected to the characters on screen, Jess + Moss is not one to be missed.

Jess Moss is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 71.