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Parents' Guide to

Little Children

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Mature story of suburban fear and yearning.

Movie R 2006 130 minutes
Little Children Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 17+

Based on 4 parent reviews

age 18+

Monster's ball

Dont like it
age 18+

Not for the unthinking or those uncomfortable with introspect

This movie has many layers - entertainment on a superficial level is not one. Those who have ever wrestled with their own inner child will better appreciate the characters developed throughout this movie. These portraits of the tragic human condition do not come without moments of comic relief disguised in our ability to laugh at the absurdity of our own perceived status within the lives of neighborhoods, families, and society. The director, Todd Field, is known for making audiences feel uncomfortable. If a person's up to it, they ask themselves why they're uncomfortable and learn. As with the characters in the movie, the redemption - the freedom from judgement - can only be found there.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (2 ):

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.

Movie Details

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