Awkward coming of age pic features a naive contest between two fifteen year old schoolgirls to see who can lose their virginity first. Before the film is over, one of the girls discovers sex is not as romantic and dreamy as they imagined. Hard to know whether director Maxwell, along with writers Kimi Peck and Dalene Young, were trying to encourage young girls to save themselves or whether this was just supposed to be a film about the trials of puberty."Little Darlings" never really digs deep enough, and thus we never get to the nitty-gritty of growing up. Tatum O'Neal and Kristy McNichol do well with their two young teens from different sides of the social fence; both of whom are growing up too fast. A very young Matt Dillon and the talented Armand Assante lend support as the prospective lovers.Sunday, April 25, 1999 - Video

Oh my God! It's a shame I couldn't have rented it neither on VHS nor DVD, the only time I watched it was in the movies, the film is about the rivalry and the competition for becoming the "first woman", a race to loose the virginity and fulfill the transition from being a a girl to be a "grown up girl" in the camping, even Tatum O'Neal was the star of the movie, Kristy McNichol's performance was so terrific and amazing, I was touched with her performance because her first time disappointed her and in a second she showed in her expression face: What did I do? it was terrible, it wasn't as cool as I thought and finally she realized that she could have waited or the first wasn't a big deal when it was made with rush an too many expectations, then she wasn't ready for that crucial experience. So 27 years later, the subject still matters about the first time, but there is a big difference, in the beginning of eighties there was innocence and no fears about sexual transmission diseases and NOW the teenagers are in really danger with AIDS, Hepatitis and other diseases, comparing this film with updated teens movies, those years won't be back anymore.

Having views Little Darlings many times, I just cannot rate it lower. I think the whole cast is wonderful, though Kristy shines out in it like the special person she is. Her portrayal of Angel is tough yet poignant, strong yet sensitive. Every time she smiles her face positively lights up and she is just such a natural! Love the supporting cast is well, and to be fair, Kristy definitely had the more interesting role than Tatum. Wish Hollywood still made movies as good as this, it's so accessible, sweet and down-to-earth. It has one of my all-time favorite endings and the soundtrack is great too, really took me back to my teenage years, and baby that I am, I often cry at the end of it. I feel both proud and privliged to own an original poster for it, it's one of my most prized possessions, as this movie is a personal favorite for me. 'Innocence' would have been a good title as well. Matt Dillon is as gorgeous as I remember him as well. Thank you Kristy, once again, for your gritty yet superlative performance, you are so special.

Little Darlings is a classic teen movie but the appeal is that it can actually be enjoyed by all ages. I have seen this one and one half times. I FIRST saw it when I was a kid but I actually think it can be enjoyed as much or more as an adult. Little darlings is both a cute movie and a fun one-although it's a light movie, the characters go through and tackle, issues all young girls deal with in a fun non preachy manner and is pretty accurate in many places too. The reason it is so much fun to watch as an adult is for nostalgia purposes. Set at summercamp, it sort of takes you back to your youth. The movie is dated as anything and when I recently caught it again I almost had to laugh at the dated aspect but the fact remains it can still be enjoyed today.Teens will identify with it, adults will reminded of times gone by.