The "small english town" genre of movies

I'm from a small english town as well - in films they are full of quirky characters, mine was full on inbreeders, noisy fuckers, no-hopers and minimum wage jobs in factories - I was off like a shot.

 

I can relate to all of that, Joe.

 

^ I always thought you were American, for some reason.

 

Born and bred in Lancashire, my friend.

 

I actually meant JoeZhang (you posted in the interim). But I thought you were American too, come to think of it!

 

I thought JoeThang was American, too.

 

Well, there's always the original 1973 version of The Wicker Man, set on a small Scottish island, bu that might not be exactly what the OP is looking for!

 

It transplants the town to India but I think Best Exotic Marigold Hotel might fit the bill.

 

Waiting for Dublin is a newer one. I know it's in Ireland but it meets the other criteria. It's also not a very good movie.

 

While set in America, would Its a Wonderful Life qualify? Lots of quirky towns folk who band together.

 

Not to mention every single episode of Northern Exposure and Gilmore Girls . .

Seriously, Northern Exposure is very much the Alaskan taken on this genre, completed with the befuddled newcomer who gets sucked into the community more or less against his will.

There's also a bestselling series of novels by Patrick Taylor set in the quaint Irish village of Ballybucklebo, which is full of eccentric characters. (Full disclosure: I've written the jacket copy for all of the books so far.)

http://us.macmillan.com/series/IrishCountryBooks