Little Children
Yesterday, Maya went back to school after two weeks off for winter break. I took one last day of vacation, and Ted had the day off as well, so we decided to go see an adult film (no, not THAT kind of movie!), meaning one with adult themes, an actual dialog, some sex and some very disturbing issues. We went to see Little Children, which is based on the novel by Tom Perotta, who also wrote the novel on which the wicked Election was based. Little Children is mainly the story of two characters, Sarah and Brad.
Sarah (Kate Winslet) is the mother of a young girl, Lucy, and is finding the life of a stay at home mom to be one that is isolating and disturbing. She apparently feels no real warmth toward her young child, and finds her ‘unknowable’. She listens to the conversations of the other moms at the playground with trepidation…choosing to see herself as someone studying life in the suburbs, rather than someone actually living that life. She is friendly with these moms, but not friends with them. I got the feeling that if she weren’t so desperate to get out of the house and have some adult contact, she wouldn’t talk to them at all.
Brad (Patrick Wilson) is unhappily married to Kathy (Jennifer Connelly), a woman quite smitten with their young son, but avoiding any real intimacy with her husband. Brad is a young 30-something who has attended law school, but has failed the Bar exam twice so far. His wife is pushing hard for him to try again, and shows him her support in her belief that he will pass this time, but her support reeks of desperation. I wasn’t sure if it was because she was hoping to get away from her job making documentary films, or if she was just tired of being so broke all of the time. In either event, it seems unlikely that he will pass, seeing as how he spends the part of the day that she sets aside for him to study each day watching teenagers enjoy their youth via skateboarding. In addition to being a Bar candidate, he is a stay at home dad, and spends his mornings at the neighborhood park with his young son.
Brad and Sarah spark a friendship at the park, partly out of wanting to prove to the other moms that there is more going on for them…that they have an edge, and aren’t part of the rigid, “snack-at-10:30am-sharp” set. The friendship quickly escalates into a full blown affair, with both of them wondering, at some level, where this is all going.
Besides the stories of Sarah and Brad, there is also a pedophile, Ronnie (Jackie Early Haley) who has recently been released from a 2 year term for exposing himself to a minor. He is a complicated character, and you’re not sure at first whether he is being unjustly targeted for harassment from the community, or not.
Then there is Larry (Noah Emmerich), an ex-cop who considers himself a friend of Brad, though you’re not sure if the feeling is entirely mutual or not. Larry carries a lot of rage inside, and at some points, he is hte most frightening character in the film.
Has anyone read or seen The House of Sand and Fog, or read or seen the film, We Don’t Live Here Anymore? These two novels were written by Andre Dubus III, and somehow, this movie felt a lot like these two stories. I read “The House of Sand and Fog”, and it devastated me to the point where I couldn’t bear to see the movie. I saw “We Don’t Live Here Anymore”, and while it was devastating, it compelled me to then read the short story. I don’t know what that says about me. I’m also not clear exactly what it was that these stories had that resonated with me so similarly…but they all seemed to me to be cut much from the same cloth, and there was a certain sense of dread while I was watching this film because of it, especially relating to “The House of Sand and Fog”. If you enjoy this film or book, you might want to pick up these others…they’re amazingly written, and might just break your heart. I haven’t yet read the novel, Little Children, though I’d be interested to hear how similar it is to the film. I know someone who just read it, though…I’d be interested to hear what you think, Wendy. Sneak out and see the film, have a glass of wine, and let me know. 😉
Regarding the film, I found the writing, acting, and directing to be excellent. Everyone was truly top notch. I highly recommend it, though it’s disturbing and deserving of its R rating. Given this film, I now officially forgive Kate Winslet for Titanic. She was great.
17 Comments
Ml
I’ve always like Kate Winslet inspite of the Titanic disaster. I guess I could see through the “Jack! Rose!” crap and see that she really is a good actor. Thank goodness I saw Sense and Sensibility first.
Anyway, this looks like a really good movie. Your review is very informative and…well…it’s great! 🙂 Thanks for listing those two novels/movies by Andre Dubus. I’ve heard of the House of Sand and Fog, but not read the book. I’ll have to check it out.
Py Korry
I thought the movie was excellent, too! I don’t think I’ve given as much “post-viewing” thought to a film for a long time. It was disturbing, but also compelling in that it captured flavors of a novel.
I was talking to an old professor of mine last night, and he thought the movie was good, but he also thought some of the acting and plot was a bit clichéd.
Ah well…
ally bean
I read The House of Sand and Fog for a book club I was in. It was intense to read and then to talk about, so like you I never saw the movie. Your review of this movie makes me want to see it, but maybe on Netflix so I can watch with some control over it.
Dot
I’m interested to know what is the disturbing part of the film. I’m intrigued and will probably netflix this one. I doubt I’d read the book, as my January book is still sitting at the bottom of my closet. I’m glad you liked it and Autumn’s future step-mother.
Cherry
I also read the House of Sand and Fog, and tried to watch the movie but it was just too intense. Well done but I think there was too much time between the book and the movie so I forgot the disturbing part of it.
I have heard a few interviews around “Little Children” and wanted to see it, but honestly I forgot about it. You’re review was great. Gave a little info, but didn’t give it away. Now I must go add it to my netflix queue.
hellomelissa
wow! you went out and saw an adult movie IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY?! that’s so impressive. sounds disturbing, and my husband won’t tolerate any theme of adultery in anything, so i guess i won’t be seeing it. i’ll live vicariously through your review, instead. oh, and i forgave kate winslet after “eternal sunshine…”
Gina
When I was reading House of Sand and Fog, all I could think was, what a complete clusterf****. It annoyed me, actually that I had read something so damn depressing.
I love Kate Winslet, period.
Wendy
That is the perfect word, J – “Dread” – that is the mood that totally pervades the book – you know you are on a nonstop train headed right for trouble and are unable to stop – I have been looking for the film around my area and havent’ found a theater yet – I am dying to see the film – the book was just so haunting, it is still with me –
And I LOVED The House of Sand & Fog (book) but couldn’t bring myself to see the film either..
Black Belt Mama
I told my daughter thar my husband and I were going to watch an adult film and he almost choked on his drink. I meant, “Little Miss Sunshine”, not the other thing that comes to mind.
wordgirl
Saw “The House of Sand and Fog”. Horribly depressing. Just…really…sad.
Lalunas
Kate is an excellent actress. I always enjoy watching films with her in leading or supporting roles. She carefully chooses the films she works in and a lot of them are not your typical Hollywood block busters. Big Sis was telling me about this movie and had a interest in seeing it. Big sis does not usually like movies. It sounds very interesting, thank you for the wonderful review, it was thorough and I enjoyed reading it.
starshine
I just saw “Holiday” with Kate Winslet, and she was fantastic in that too. I’ve been a long-time Winslet fan, ever since “Sense and Sensibility”. She was absolutely flawless in that role!
Lotus
J, I’ve read and reviewed Tom Perrotta’s “Little Children” (wish I had the link handy to give you) and ever since I read it was made into a movie, I have been dying to see it – now that you’ve reviewed it favorably, I am even more eager to watch it! I have seen “House of Sand and Fog” and I remember crying buckets – I so empathized with Ben Kingsley’s family. It’s been a while since I saw the movie, so maybe I’m due to watch it again. Thanks for a wonderful review!
J
Hey Lotus, I just went and read your review. 🙂 Thanks! The link is here: http://lotusreads.blogspot.com/2006/01/little-children-by-tom-perrotta.html
if anyone wants to read another review of the book.
The link to Wendy in my post goes to her review of the book.
I’m sure I saw Sense and Sensibility back in ’95, but I don’t remember a lot of it…and believe it or not, I never saw any other Kate Winslet films! Excluding, of course, the horrid Titanic. So I didn’t know what the fuss was about her as such a good actress and all. I do now. 🙂
Kristen
I read the book and really want to see the movie as well. In fact, there is a whole list of movies I want to see right now but will probably have to wait until the DVD version comes out.
Lotus
Hey, thanks, J! 🙂 I’m going to read Wendy’s review now.
Erielle
I went to the movie knowing nothing about it except for the fact that Kate Winslet was in it. She was amazing, as always. I really want to read the book, but I don’t like book covers that feature the actors and actresses from the film, so I need to find a used book store.
I realized that I love sad books that are filled with dread, so I am going to try to find a copy of The House of Sand and Fog as well.
Nice review and thanks for the leads on the good reads!