Little Manhattan (30 September 2005)
directed by Mark Levin
starring Josh Hutcherson, Charlie Ray, Bradley Whitford, Cynthia Nixon, Willie Garson, Tonye Patano, Josh Pais, John Dossett, Talia Balsam, Jonah Meyerson, Michael Bush, Anthony Laflamme, Michael Chaturantabut
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MPAA rating: Studio: New Regency Pictures, Epsilon Motion Pictures, Pariah, Regency Enterprises Script: Jennifer Flackett Music: Chad Fisher Running time: 84 minutes Tags: Comedy; Family Film; father-son relationships; first love; karate; New York City; Romance; scooters; subways Tactical strength: [9/10]
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for mild thematic elements, language and brief action
Every once in a while a movie comes along that proves that a particular movie technique can work if handled correctly. Normally, I despise voice-over narration in a film. Even in excellent movies like Dances with Wolves, the narration drives me crazy. But in Little Manhattan, the narration by main character Gabe (Josh Hutcherson) provides just the right comedic tone and character insights that you barely notice the narration. In Little Manhattan, the narration provides the most direct insight into Gabe's thought processes.
Ten-year-old Gabe has pretty much free reign over a nine-square-block area of the upper west side of Manhattan. He freely scoots around his neighborhood and hangs out with the boys from his class, but he accidentally discovers that he likes girls -- one girl in particular, Rosemary (Charlie Ray). Gabe and Rosemary have shared the same class in P.S. 82 since Kindergarten, but Gabe hasn't really noticed her until now. Gabe decides that he wants to spend time getting to know Rosemary, and he goes through several embarrassing situations trying to express his new feelings for -- a girl. Luckily for Gabe, Rosemary and he share a karate class, and he arranges to practice karate with Rosemary. To his dismay, Gabe learns that he only has two weeks with his new love, and then Rosemary will leave for a six-week summer camp followed by enrolling in a private school. Gabe decides that he cannot allow Rosemary to leave without kissing her, and we witness his internal agony as he musters up enough courage to finally kiss a girl.
Although based on the simple and oft-repeated premise of first love, writer Jennifer Flackett has made such keen observations about the thought processes of a ten year old ("ten and three quarters," Gabe would say) that we immediately sympathize with Gabe as we recall many of the same thought processes. In fact, Little Manhattan makes such keen observations, that we see how some of the juvenile logic can carry over into our adult decision making processes. Gabe's parents (Cynthia Nikon and Bradley Whitford) still live together but merely await the completion of their divorce. As Gabe discusses his feelings about Rosemary, his father comes to realize that many of his marital problems seem based on just such juvenile logic.
Director Mark Levin maintains tight control over a nostalgic view of childhood that never steps into sweet and sticky. He guides excellent performances from his young actors Josh Hutcherson and Charlie Ray. Bradley Whitford and Cynthia Nixon provide touching performances as Gabe's parents, and remarkably, the script doesn't just discount adults as unable to understand children. Gabe and his parents have a caring two-way relationship refreshing for a film with adolescent main characters. All around, Little Manhattan handles the themes of first love and lost love with sensitivity and uncommon depth.
