Little Children
2006
***½
Director: Todd Field
Cast: Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly, Jackie Earle Haley, Noah Emmerich, Gregg Edelman, Phyllis Somerville
This suburban drama from Tom Perrotta's novel follows in the footsteps of American Beauty. The plot centres on two frustrated stay-at-home parents who begin an affair just as their neighbourhood is rocked by a sex offender returning from prison. These three people are subtly drawn and warmly portrayed. Sadly all the other characters are shrieking caricatures. The story also struggles for credibility when kids behave like props and Kate Winslet plays a plain looking woman. Overall, however, the film is sharply observed and darkly funny.
