Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lovingly realistic coming-of-age story is a classic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Twelve-year-old Lennie (Richard Brewster) is looking forward to spending his birthday at Coney Island, but when his single mother is called away on an emergency, he must instead spend the day looking after his 7-year-old brother Joey (Richie Andrusco). Angry and upset, Lennie and his pals cook up a plan: They will make Joey believe that he has shot and killed Lennie with a real gun. The plan works, but the distraught Joey runs away to Coney Island by himself, eventually finding solace in the pony rides. When Lennie realizes the error of his ways, he begins a frantic search for his little brother, but can Lennie find him and get back home to Brooklyn before mom returns?
Is It Any Good?
This is one of the finest and most vivid coming-of-age movies ever made. Co-directed by photographer/cinematographer Morris Engel, his photographer wife Ruth Orkin, and writer Ray Ashley, LITTLE FUGITIVE is nothing less than a landmark in the history of American independent cinema. It takes its time, building toward a memorable conclusion. It captures a remarkably intense summer carnival atmosphere, with crowds, grit, litter, heat, and noise as well as the wonders that are there for young eyes to discover.
There are long stretches with no dialogue, featuring nothing but a haunting harmonica score (Lennie's prize possession is a harmonica, so the music ties the brothers together). The movie may be a bit rough for younger kids (as well as for protective parents), but it has a good heart, and most viewers will be on board by the end. Little Fugitive was nominated for a screenwriting Oscar and was inducted into the Library of Congress' National Film Registry in 1997.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the cruel, violent practical joke that Lennie and his friends play on Joey. What are the consequences of this joke? What would cause kids to do such a thing?
Can you imagine this movie being made today? What are some differences between what kids did or played with in the 1950s as compared to today?
Lennie gets the short end of the stick here: it's his birthday, but he doesn't get much of a chance to be a kid. Does he have a right to be upset? What would be a better way he could express this?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 6, 1953
- On DVD or streaming : November 8, 2008
- Cast : Jay Williams , Richard Brewster , Richie Andrusco
- Directors : Morris Engel , Ray Ashley , Ruth Orkin
- Studio : Kino
- Genre : Classic
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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