The film follows the story of Harriet, an intelligent and curious young girl who feels stifled by her mundane life in a small town. Desperate for adventure and a way out, Harriet spends her days exploring the surrounding woods and dreaming of the day when she'll be able to leave her family and start a new life.
Harriet's mother is largely absent from her life, leaving her in the care of her older sister, Gwen. While Gwen is kind to Harriet, she is also deeply troubled and struggling with her own issues, leaving Harriet feeling isolated and alone.
One day, a mentally disabled man named Ricky arrives at the motel where Harriet and her family live. Despite his disabilities, Harriet finds Ricky to be kind and fascinating, building a close bond with him over time. However, tragedy strikes when Gwen is killed in an accident, leaving Harriet devastated and lost.
With the help of Ricky, Harriet learns to cope with her grief and finds the strength to move forward with her life. As she grows up, she takes the lessons she has learned from Ricky with her, finally finding the courage to break free from her difficult past and pursue her dreams.
Overall, Digging to China is a powerful and emotional film about the importance of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit. With strong performances from a talented cast and a poignant story about loss and redemption, it is a film that is sure to touch the hearts of viewers of all ages.