Little Boxes
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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Little Boxes
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Little Boxes is an insightful, edgy indie dramedy about the huge changes a family deals with after moving from New York City to suburban Washington State. Older tweens swear (including "f--k" and allusions to what they call "the C word"), sneak alcoholic drinks, try to handle big emotions (which, in one case, leads to a boy throwing a rock through a window), and flirt/nearly get physical (a girl starts to strip in front of a boy her age). The grown-ups don't fare that better, drowning their anxieties in booze, getting into arguments, and failing to communicate with those who love them the most. The central mixed-race family faces both micro- and macro-aggressions and racism in their new town; ultimately, feeling at home requires adjustments and honesty on everyone's part.
Community Reviews
Strange and difficult to watch
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What's the Story?
In LITTLE BOXES, the summer before he starts sixth grade, Clark (Armani Jackson) and his parents move from Brooklyn to Rome, Washington, where his mom has a new job at the local college. That's a tough change for any kid, and it's even more complicated for Clark, who's biracial and has to find his place in an extremely white suburban town. He's quickly befriended by two girls, Ambrosia (Oona Laurence) and Julie (Miranda McKeon), who might be eager to grow up too quickly. Meanwhile, Clark's parents -- Mack (Nelsan Ellis) and Gina (Melanie Lynskey) -- also realize that small-town life is very different from the big city.
Is It Any Good?
Authenticity and insight into what frightens and afflicts writers, musicians, artists, etc. are what keep this movie afloat when it somewhat loses its momentum near the end. Because any veteran New Yorker/urban dweller will recognize the truth that lies at the heart of what makes Mack and Gina decide to leave their beloved (but too expensive) Brooklyn for a job in the Pacific Northwest in Little Boxes. Who doesn't get sick of the city after spending years in a too-expensive apartment trying to make your hustle work, especially if that hustle is something in the creative field, which brings tens of thousands of fellow artists -- aka competitors -- to NYC each year?
Credit is due to Lynskey, Ellis, and Jackson; they ground the movie with their believable, natural performances. Nonetheless, what Little Boxes seems to forget about movies is that they not only have to start strong, but they need to end that way, too, with credible plot diversions and believable wrap-ups that don't leave viewers hanging or befuddled. (For instance: Can mold mitigation actually be completed in three hours?) And while the film pokes fun at all its characters, even Mack and Gina, it reserves its sharpest critiques for suburbanites, trading on cliches that are overplayed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about race. What role does race play in Little Boxes? Some incidents/encounters clearly seem racist, while others are more nuanced. How do the characters handle them? What do you think you'd have done in their situation?
Do Clark and his new friends seem like realistic tweens? Does the way the experiment with drinking and sex feel believable? What are the consequences?
How does Clark fit into his new neighborhood? What makes it easier -- or harder -- for him? How about his parents? How do they fit in? Are issues related to belonging something that changes/gets easier with age?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 14, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: April 14, 2017
- Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Nelsan Ellis, Armani Jackson
- Director: Rob Meyer
- Studio: FilmBuff
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 84 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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