 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Little Children
- Review Date: April 30, 2007
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Mature story of suburban fear and yearning.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this thought-provoking drama from the director of In the Bedroom probably won't be on most kids' radar. Just as well, since it includes some very mature images and ideas, including Internet porn and masturbation, adulterous sex and lies to spouses, child abuse (discussed, not shown), self-mutilation (off-screen, but with visible bloody results), and loud, intense football action. There are repeated references to a child predator who's been released from prison (neighbors campaign against him, TV reports discuss the case, parents go into a frenzy at a public pool when he shows up); he's also the center of a very disturbing scene in which he masturbates while his blind date cries helplessly, sitting next to him in her car. There are also several sweaty sex scenes between an adulterous couple, with nudity (bottoms and breasts), though these tend to be more "romantic" than explicit. Several uses of "f--k," plus other mild profanity.
What's the story?
LITTLE CHILDREN (based on the novel by Tom Perrotta) follows several intersecting storylines having to do with parents and children -- and parents who behave like children. Todd Field's movie begins with convicted child predator Ronnie McGorvey's (Jackie Earle Haley) release and subsequent return to his mother's home. The other main story involves Brad (Patrick Wilson), a stay-at-home dad studying for his third try at the bar exam, whose wife (Jennifer Connelly) is focused on their son. One day Brad meets Sarah (Kate Winslet), who feels similarly frustrated, sad, and abandoned by her spouse, who is addicted to Internet porn. Brad and Sarah enter into a steamy affair that provides a romantic vision of themselves as desired and desirable. They spend their summer afternoons at the public pool, with their children. When Ronnie arrives at the pool, dons his flippers and snorkel, then slips into the water, parents scream for their kids to get out of the water, and the cops remove Ronnie from the premises. And so the children are "protected."
Is it any good?
If Little Children -- an intricate puzzle of upper-middle-class suburban dread and desire -- is pedantic and sometimes smug in its judgments, it is also painful. As the characters try to define themselves, they are also self-deluding, which leads to tragedy.
Repeatedly, the lines separating adults and children are poorly defined. Adults are irresponsible, remaining children even as they take care of their kids. Parents pursue juvenile desires, trampling others to do so, while citing the "protection" of children as the ultimate and unassailable rationale.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the relationships between adults and children throughout the movie. Who are the "little children" of the title -- the kids or their parents? How do the adults look after their kids but also leave them vulnerable? How do the adults behave like children themselves? Why do you think Sarah and Brad are so dissatisfied with their lives? When does their relationship cross the line? Is the movie out to humanize Ronnie McGorvey, condemn him, or some of both? Do you think the characters overreact to having him in their midst, or is their fear justified?
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AGE
Awful!
This movie was depressing and very disturbing. Watching the news is more uplifting than this!
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AGE
What the heck?
This is such a bad movie to watch DO NOT WATCH THIS! all reds turned on!
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AGE
Little Children is nothing little.
Based on a novel by Tom Perrota, Little Children is a great adult movie. Once again the great actress Kate Winslet proves herself to be one of our generations greats. She plays a bored housewife who's husband is somewhat a sexual deviant. Along comes bored dad played by Patrick Wilson. The two begin an engaging affair that is passionate. Also a sexual predator played by Jackie Earle Haley is living with the consequnces of being hated as a man and a predator. The movie has a strong sexual tension to it and is also quiet disturbing, but besides that this movie is worth watching.
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Todd Field |
| Cast: | Jennifer Connelly, Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 130 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 6, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | May 1, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong sexuality and nudity, language and some disturbing content. |
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