Todd Fields' moving adaptation of Tom Perotta's book of the same title is disturbing and at times darkly humorous. A great cast and direction brings the book to life and raises so many emotions. Often hard to watch, the film explores suburbia. It could almost be relative of American Beauty!
Little Children is about four people whose lives are interwoven in strange ways. Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) a hard working mother who is married to Brad (Patrick Wilson), a stay at home dad who is a failed law student. While Kathy is gone, Sarah (Kate Winslet) plays a mother figure and begins an affair with Brad. While all this going on, a sex offender moves to the neighborhood causing chaos.
Kate Winslet's performance is excellent. A few years ago, Entertainment Weekly published an issue saying that if they ruled Hollywood, Winslet would be their queen. Now, I would have to agree. It seems that Winslet can't act badly after this, Titanic, Revolutionary Road, and The Reader. People constantly criticize her for looking ugly and fat, but she is very attractive in her signature red bathing suit in this.
Though this may have made Entertainment Weekly's list of the sexiest movies ever, it really is not quite all that sexy. Though it is erotically potent, some scenes are more disturbing than actually fun to watch. Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson may make a great and attractive couple, the scenes with the sex offender are difficult to view.
Little Children is one of the best films of 2006. I, who grew up in suburbia, deeply understood the metaphors and emotions made here and was deeply disturbed by them. A touching, titillating film will surely weave it's way into your heart. Todd Fields' masterpiece is sometimes fun and at other times extremely sad.
No comments:
Post a Comment