Parents' Guide to Palmer

It's familiar material, but Fisher Stevens' fine drama proceeds with care and compassion, using excellent performances to help create a moving, thoughtful, and inclusive experience. Palmer follows in the tradition of dozens of movies about plucky kids who help grumpy adults become better people—from Charlie Chaplin's The Kid to Driveways—but it does the old chestnut proud. Timberlake's Palmer appears to be shielding himself against pain, with his jaw jutted out. But he's also full of regret and gratitude and willing to do whatever it takes to become a better person. His first scene with Squibb effortlessly draws smiles and sets the movie's tone.

Young Allen (8 years old at the time of the movie's release) makes his feature film acting debut with absolute confidence and openness, quickly creating a believable bond with Timberlake. He carries Sam's gender identity with beautiful grace and empathy. The rest of the cast is also impressive; there's not a weak link anywhere. Director Stevens is, of course, a veteran character actor himself (perhaps best known for Short Circuit), as well as an Oscar winner (for producing the documentary The Cove), and he clearly brings his long experience to Palmer. He creates a vivid, logical small-town environment, where things may be a little grayish and stuck, but they're not without hope.