Little Children (2006)

X An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / May 1, 2007

“Little Children” is about people who live lives of desperation. Some are selfish. Some feel helpless. All are unhappy.

A 48-year-old, convicted sex offender named Ronnie McGorvey (Jackie Earle Haley) has just moved into small town with his elderly mother. She encourages him to place dating ads in the newspaper. A woman in his life might help him fight his “urges.”

The community of parents is uneasy about Ronnie’s presence, especially a retired cop named Larry (Noah Emmerich) who feels it’s his personal mission to continually remind Ronnie (and the neighborhood) that Ronnie is a child predator. But Ronnie is just a side plot.

“Little Children” shows how to fall into an extra-marital affair. Or, it shows how and why not to commit adultery. Sarah (Kate Winslet) and Brad (Patrick Wilson) meet in a park with their children and begin a romantic relationship after rendezvousing at the public pool with their kids on a daily basis. Both are unhappily married.

A fascinating element to “Little Children” is how few of the main characters are innocent: the children and perhaps Ronnie’s mother. An occasional, omniscient narrator (Will Lyman) gives us special insights.

“Little Children” is an uncommonly excellent, involving drama.

Directed by Todd Field
Kate Winslet / Patrick Wilson / Jackie Earle Haley
130 min. Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 17 and up

DVD release date: May 1, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP00103 : 199