Movies50

Little Children (2006) provides a dark, realistic and melancholy look at suburban life in the 21^st  The film was based on the acclaimed novel by Tom Perrotta and directed by In the Bedroom director Todd Field. century.

Meet Sarah (Kate Winslet), a sad housewife who buries herself in novels to escape the blandness of her daily life.  Her marriage is a sham, and to avoid her porn-addicted husband, Sarah spends most of her time at the neighborhood park or pool with her daughter.  Sarah doesn’t fit in with the other housewives.  They’re picture perfect with makeup and hair done daily, while Sarah is charmingly awkward in overalls and mussed hair. 

Enter Brad (Patrick Wilson), the gorgeous househusband who occasionally attends the park and pool with his son.  Sarah and Brad start up a friendship that has obvious underlying sexual tension which, inevitably, turns into more than just tension.

In between the film’s study of suburban life and the existence (or absence) of happiness within marriage, there’s something else going on in the neighborhood.  A convicted sex offender, Ronnie (Jackie Earle Haley) has just been released from prison and is now back in the ‘hood living with his mother.  The community is in an uproar, especially one ex-cop (Noah Emmerich) who has made it his life’s duty to run Ronnie out of town.

Throughout the film, the audience is given a unique and slightly depressing look at what assumption, perception, and judgment can do to hurt others.  I found myself engaged from beginning to end; the phone rang, but I didn’t pick it up.  The plot itself is haunting and heart-wrenching.  What should Sarah do to claim her own happiness?  Does Ronnie deserve the torment that he receives from Larry, the retired cop?

The actors, however, are what make this film really worth watching.  Winslet’s portrayal of Sarah is flawless, from her naked face to her frizzy hair to her introverted way of facing the world.  Winslet actually becomes Sarah, and it’s as if all of her inner turmoil is plainly written across her face at all times.  Haley is also a genius, playing Ronnie with no inhibitions.  He’s creepy with his buggy eyes and squeamish way of talking.  On the other hand, he’s so sad that it’s heart-breaking.  I wanted to slap him, castrate him, yell at him, and then hug him and tell him that it would all be alright.

Overall, I only have one qualm with this film:  the ending.  Without giving the entire story away, I will only say that there were many gaps left wide open.  I want to call up both Todd Field and Tom Perrotta and ask them why Brad stopped to skateboard with the kids instead of running away like he had planned.  What happens to Sarah and her lovable daughter?  When the credits began to run, I stared at the television screen with my jaw hanging open.  I simply wasn’t ready for the film to be over—I still had questions that needed answers.  However, watching the film was well worth all of my unanswered questions.  Any movie that makes you really think about your surroundings and your life is worth a watch.

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