LITTLE CHILDREN
© 2006 by C. E. Murphy. All Rights Reserved.
L to R: Patrick Wilson as Brad Adamson
and Kate Winslet as Sarah Pierce in
Little Children
Directed by Todd Field, USA
Photo Credit: New Line Cinema © 2006


       Here we go again, I fear I'm in the minority in my reaction to this film
adaptation of Tom Perrotta's novel LITTLE CHILDREN. Co-written and directed
by Todd Field (whose IN THE BEDROOM I have come to feel  was overpraised),
this film makes a grave error from its opening by employing an omniscient
narrator who often tells the audience what the actors should be able to convey.
It has been suggested by other critics that Field is employing this technique as
to pay homage to director Stanley Kubrick. Perhaps, but from my point of view,
it was a distraction, particularly as they deliberately abandon the use of the
narrator for close to half-hour in the middle of the film and then re-introduce
him near the end.

       The film also suffers from an excess of footage that seems to be there
merely to take up time. There's a long sequence of an amateur football game
which feels unnecessary and not germane to the film. It could easily have been
excised and the film would not have lost anything.

       LITTLE CHILDREN is basically the story of two individuals, parents raising
small kids, who meet and engage in an affair which leaves them both altered.
The acting by leads Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson is fine, but hardly award-
worthy (as the buzz has it). I was also a bit disappointed in the performance of
Jackie Earle Haley as a convicted pedophile whose presence in the small
community sends ripples of concern. The advance word had it that this was
a terrific performance. It is a creepy and interesting take on the character, but
there's one scene in the film that the actor overdoes the histrionics and
falls into cliché.

      What can I say? I know that several of my colleagues will be singing
this film's praises. To me, it was well done but not memorable.


                       Rating:                C -
                       MPAA Rating:      Rated R for strong sexuality and nudity,
                                                        language and some disturbing content
                       Running time:      139 mins.