|
| Movie Review: Little Children Alternate Title: Lust For Life
Story: I don't know what took
me so long to see this absorbing film by vastly talented sophomore director
Todd Field (In the Bedroom) but I am glad
I finally got off of my butt and went to see it. I did not read the
book by Tom Perrotta but since he co-wrote the screenplay
with Todd Field I imagine the visuals only added to the novel. This is a multi-character tale with overlapping
storylines. Time is taken, like reading a good book, to meet the characters,
sense their surroundings and grow to feel for all of them - no matter
how flawed. There is even a voice-over that works well (and as most
of you know, I am not a big fan of narration). But this unseen voice
continually roots us back to the origins of the film, which indeed,
is in literature. In this unnamed town in Massachusetts we get
to see infidelity, lust, guilt, anger, compromise, a sex pervert, a
disgraced former cop, an emasculated husband and judgmental young mothers
all mixed with humor, pathos, empathy and finally some redemption. If you like your films oozing with detail, character
development, ebbs and arcs you should definitely put this one on your
must-see list. It is a fine film.
Acting: Kate Winslet always does
good work but in this piece she is nothing short of magnificent. Patrick
Wilson (Angels in America) in pitch perfect as the emasculated
boy-man husband. Jennifer Connelly, is more beautiful
than usual and does a fine job with a small part. Jackie Earle
Haley as the sex pervert is simply amazing as is Noah
Emmerich as the disgraced cop.
Predilection: None
Critters: Surprisingly, none.
Soundtrack: It must have been good because I did
not notice it at all.
Opening Titles: Simple white type on black background.
Theater Audience: Still a lot of movie attendees
even after all of these weeks.
Weather: It was a hot, humid summer with a pivotal
downpour.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 2 - Jackie Earle Haley's character
is indeed squirmy.
Drift Factor: I did not drift at all but it could
have been a little shorter.
Predictability Level: I was not sure what was coming
next.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Big Screen or Rental: This film would be fine as
a rental. Kate Winslet is a great actress. For some other Kate Winslet
films (many of which she appears nude) try renting: Finding Neverland,
Iris, Enigma, Quills, Holy Smoke, Hideous Kinky, (the dreadful) Titanic,
Sense and Sensibility and my favorite, Heavenly Creatures.
Length: About 15 minutes over the two hour rule.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
|