Little Children, granted isn't the best movie ever made, and is probably given more credit than it deserves. It's good but not great. But may'be I should look closer, for it is quite a character study into flawed characters, a lot of who really hate themselves. It is an excellent screenplay, three interweaving stories, through characters, driven by situations and circumstances, the main plot really being the release of a known 48 year old pedophile, and an angry community. The pedo is chillingly played by Jackie Earle Hayley, in just what it is virtuoso acting, from a guy who's made way too less movies, and always impresses in other films. He's an actor to watch. But all the other performances should be commended too, some who I don't need to spout names. It also has a Happiness movie character playing much the same kind of shy character as she did in that 99 Art-house film. Little Children is very realistic, especially in the public versus pedophile scenario, where one character gets really heated, among the other of a disfavoring community. This is so real, where the great script just takes on a real approach. What I hated about little children, was that sleepy middle aged, informing voice over, to really describe how the characters feel. We don't need that. Let the characters do that. This is what minimally ruined what is otherwise a good film, with a kind of un befitting but cute title. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this film, but found it a little too dark for my tastes, however it is very well done and over all the performance are very good. Looking in a these character's lives, I kept hoping for some inclination that one of these people had some good in them,, but nope. Nothing. Every character is severely flawed in many ways and in different degrees. I just found that after watching them for two hours, I felt like smacking them and yelling 'SMARTEN UP!" But I guess that is what this movie is all about, so indeed, a good character study. Thought Kate Winslett and Jennifer Connally were great. Although I did find a few weird things in the script. Such as Kathy telling Brad they should invite Lucy's family over for dinner, based solely on the fact that the little boy told her he had a new friend. Seems very unlikely. The other unusual thing was the scene where Kathy is under the table and is intrigued by Sarah's feet. If you watch the movie, this makes no sense at all as her feet appear pretty normal. However there is apparently an explanation in the book, but it doesn't translate to film with out somehow explaining why. All in all, for movie buffs, a good movie to see.

Suburban lifestyles may be though of as calm and peaceful and where problems don't really exist. Sure enough, writer/director Todd Field creates an adapted masterpiece about the hardship that troubled adults have in suburban America. There are different stories that combine together like in "Pulp Fiction and "Traffic. Kate Winslet plays Sarah Pierce, an unsatisfied housewife who has one daughter after a divorce with her husband. She meets Brad Adamson (Patrick Wilson) at the local playground and falls in love with him. Brad is a stay at home dad who is working to get a law degree in school and is pressured by his working wife Kathy (Jennifer Connelly). The two have a son. Brad is friends with Larry Edges (Noah Emmerich), an ex- cop due to accidentally killing a young teenager on the job. Larry is promoting to get the released pedophile Ronnie (Jackie Early Haley)back in jail and taunts him. Soon the adults realize what it takes to live as they encounter each other. This film really opens your eyes to how intense suburban life can be. Growing up in a nice suburb, I wonder how the people of my community really feel every day after putting on a fake face and pretending everything is fine. Todd Field writes an absolutely spectacular and brilliant screenplay by giving a genies title and creating interesting characters. The title "Little Children" has an elaborate meaning. It is referring to the adults in this film for acting childish and for being surrounded by kids the entire time. Each character has some connection to kids. Sarah and Brad are parents, Larry accidentally killed a teenager, and Ronnie is an ex-pedophile. However, Sarah is unsatisfied and is childish for not realizing how great her life truly is. Brad plays football like teenagers socially and is distracted like another child character we meet. Ronnie is very childish and creepy by acting like a little kid. Larry is childish for not forgiving himself and plotting revenge on Ronnie. Kathy is childish for not allowing her husband to be happy as a a stay at home dad. How brilliant to keep that title! There are many other supporting characters like Sarah's friends and husband who act like teenagers as well. Her friends for gossiping and her husband for his sexual actions. As the film flows, you really see the truth behind these characters and how they are the reason for the title. Every character may not be likable, but are fascinating and an adventure to watch. Kate Winslet plays a housewife in a troubled lifestyle and dominates every scene with her feelings. Patrick Wilson parallels her in the male version and gives an equally good performance. Jackie Early Haley is the true gem in this film. He plays his character in a way that chills your spine but also makes you care for him in a strange way. He gives an absolutely classic and heart- wrenching performance. Jennifer Connelly and Noah Emmerich support the film by giving extra tension and drama. Todd Field's directing is almost as superb as his mesmerizing writing by portraying the ordinary, suburban lifestyle in a shocking and dark way. "Little Children" is a tough film that can change your view on the world and stick with you in a powerful way and take you on a roller coaster of analyzing brilliant film-making.

"Little Children" (2006) is a well-done adult drama mixed with lots of dry humor. The story revolves around two suburban couples in Connecticut and people linked to them. Sarah (Kate Winslet) becomes increasingly intrigued by a local stay-at-home dad, Brad (Patrick Wilson), particularly when she catches her husband yielding to his base desires (in a particularly funny scene). It's a slow descent into hell, so to speak, as the situation leads to adultery and its typical consequences. There's also a subplot about a man just released from prison for exposing himself to a minor and the ex-cop who's obsessed with destroying him, but the latter has his own demons, which disqualifies him of his high horse.The film's called "little children" (presumeably taken from the Bible, e.g. 1 John) because the key adults are acting like little children in one way or another rather than responsible adults. The message of the film is simple: GROW UP. Or "everyone grows older, but not everyone grows up." Winslet shines here. "Little Children" was released nine years after her breakthrough in "Titanic" and she's just way more appealing as a woman -- a curvy whoa-man -- than as the teenager with baby fat (not that she wasn't attractive in "Titanic," of course; just that mature women are always better than immature girls IMHO). Jennifer Connelly plays Kathy, the bread-winning wife of Brad, and I find it interesting that the movie goes out of its way to say that Kathy is a "knockout" while Sarah (Winslet) is kind of plain, short and with too-thick eyebrows. I guess "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" because, as pretty as Connelly may be (just too thin), I think Kate blows her out of the water with her voluptuousness."Little Children" is just a solid adult drama. It has some dialogue-driven (and body language-driven) slow parts, but it consistently maintains your attention and adequately shows that ordinary life and the glory & shame thereof is more compelling (and funny) than the most overwrought CGI-laden action-packed idiotic "blockbuster" (not that those types of films can't be effective, like the outstanding "Terminator 2: Judgment Day").There's one brilliant scene that takes place at the dinner table where both couples finally spend time together. During the conversation Kathy picks up on her radar what's really going on between Brad and Sarah. It's subtle, but she clearly picks it up. The directing, writing and acting of this scene are all flawless -- masterful filmmaking.The ending could've been better, but the decisions two characters make show that maybe they're growing up after all; and I like that.The film runs 137 minutes and was shot in New England and New York.GRADE: B+