Review: Little Children

UK Release: 3rd November 2006

With his debut feature, In the Bedroom, director Todd Field explored the darker side of middle-class suburban angst, and he’s still in the same territory for this follow-up.

The setting is a tight-knit American community, into which convicted sex criminal Ronald McGorvey (an extraordinary turn by Jackie Earle Haley) has been released. He fades into the background quickly, as we’re soon introduced to Sarah (Kate Winslet), a married mother who becomes fascinated with a charming — and equally married — father (Patrick Wilson) at the local playground.

Passions flare, but before you can say “American Beauty” McGorvey bubbles back to the surface as the stories mesh together, leading to an implausible finale that’s not quite as profound as it thinks it is. Though its production values are impeccable and its performances pitch-perfect, Little Children feels intellectually hollow and more than a little exploitative of a hot-button subject.

Radio Times rating:

***

UK cinema certificate 15
Running time 136mins

Review by Damon Wise

News: Kate Winslet

With so many movies out at the moment, all the latest Winslet news was covered last week.

News: Jennifer Connelly

Though playing very much second fiddle ot Kate Winslet’s Oscar-tipped lead performance in this week’s tale of infidelity that is Little Children, former Oscar-nominee Jennifer Connelly will soon be back on our screens in yet more heavy-hitting dramas.

First up is the much-anticipated Blood Diamond, an action-packed exploration of the evils of the African diamond trade starring Leonardo DiCaprio and fellow former Oscar-nominee Djimon Hounsou, hotly tipped again this year for his turn as a poor fisherman who hooks up with DiCaprio’s mercenary in pursuit of a rare pink diamond. It is due out in the UK at the end of January 2007.

Next will be another potential Oscar contender from Hotel Rwanda writer/director Terry George, Reservation Road. Based on the bestselling novel by John Burnham Schwartz, it revolves around the hit-and-run death of a young boy (road accidents seemingly popular after last year’s Oscar success of the similarly-themed Crash), and the fall-out experienced by his flawed friends and family. Connelly will be joined by a top-notch cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo and Mira Sorvino, all arguably due for a little golden naked man to put on the mantlepiece.