Little Children

A near-perfect relationship drama, which stands above all on an excellent script, full of fresh and unexpected situations that unexpectedly build up in the end. The character of the sexual deviant Ronnie initially felt too forcefully shoehorned into the story, but in the end his fate became the most emotional element of the entire narrative, with one chilling moment at the end that made my blood run cold. In this context, I can't help but berate the Oscar academics for preferring Arkin's embarrassing grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine to Jackie Haley's impressive performance. The fact that, in the case of the two main characters, Field's conclusion doesn't try to make their relationship sound as fatal as possible is something I applaud. It is not always necessary to push too hard to evoke intense emotions. And for the first time ever, I must also highlight the brilliant trailer, which is such a small work of art thanks to the use of an unconventional minimalist soundtrack of an arriving train, perfectly matched with the editing of the shots (and thanks to it I was eagerly awaiting Little Children, despite the fact that I always take trailers with a grain of salt). (23.05.2007)

At first, not a particularly distinctive drama from the world of an idyllic American street at the edge of a large city. Everyone here lives their lives with some skeletons hidden in their closet. And those who do not hide them will happily create them during this film. The most interesting character from the whole film is definitely the sick pervert without whom this film would not even exist. The first ‘getting to know’ half is really worth three stars, but in the second half there’s a relatively well-built tension not only between the unfaithful ones. Overall, this film gets a second wind and flows with it until the very end. It’s not a simple movie due to the length itself, but in the end, I’m glad I saw it. (16.10.2015)

Honestly, as a man, I envy the main male protagonist for his dilemma of choosing between the wife portrayed by Jennifer Connelly and the interesting mother from the neighborhood, Kate Winslet. Yeah, those are some serious worries. This relationship drama is sympathetically placed between comedic and tragic elements and fulfills the function of a romantic relationship drama with several interesting characters and well-observed scenes from life. It's not a film that is at the top of its genre or one that a person would think about for a long time in a significant way, but it works very well emotionally. Overall impression: 75%. (19.05.2012)

A somewhat sterile love drama in places, where at times it seems that the world has more weirdos than normal, rational-minded individuals. Some situations are quite adequately depicted, others not so much. The sometimes deaf moments and the relatively slow and uninteresting pace are topped off by a strong conclusion, which is both brilliantly scripted and appropriately chilling. Still, I didn't find Little Children as compact and entertaining as other, thematically related films. (18.12.2022)

"As Little Children" is a film that surprised me immensely. I must admit straight away that I knew nothing about it, nor did I have any idea that it had ever been made. That is why it surprises me even more when I know that actors like Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, or Jackie Earle Haley were in it. Especially the first two could be considered first-rate, Patrick is not far from the first league, and Jackie is definitely one of the best psychos we can see in the film world in recent years. So what could the movie, which features these characters, be about? It is a film that deals with infidelity. Although it may seem like it could be a film about a pedophile, in reality, it doesn't go that far. People can change, or suppress their twisted nature within themselves after all. Sarah (Kate Winslet) is a housewife who doesn't fit in the suburbs. She doesn't fit among the other moms, and certainly doesn't fit into the life that has formed around her. Her husband seems to be very fixated on an internet beauty, whose panties he likes to put on his head and masturbate while looking at photos of his virtual sweetheart. Brad (Patrick Wilson) doesn't have it easy either. He is a househusband, loved by women, but neglected in a way by his own wife. He doesn't receive as much love from her as he requires, and her documentary films seem more important to her. Sarah and Brad both have children and take them out in the morning. They meet here. And they fall in love with each other. Very passionately. How will it end for them? And how does it relate to the pedophile who moved into the neighborhood? A very powerful film that will surely evoke some emotions in you, but it is somewhat grounded by the ending, which is symbolical again, but show me an adult man who abandons his plan just so he can jump off crazy stairs he never stood on, if ever, many, many years ago. It's a strange twist and seems childish to me, but it's mainly my opinion. The film certainly deserves an above-average rating, not only for the performances, but also for the screenplay. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/11/arbitrage-interview-male-deti-neznamy.html (02.03.2013)

Acts and drives that will substantially affect our future actions, hidden and repressed desires, prejudices, fears, mob madness, restraint, caution, indecision, endless motherly love, envy, hatred, old wounds from the past, disappointment, loss of a loved one, surrender... BUT above all, an exemplary relationship drama that impressively connects several human destinies and in each case shows how people are not perfect, that we all make mistakes, and how many "ills" often stem from despair, from the desire for change, the desire to "breathe again"... And Kate as Sarah is just amazing. "IT'S THE HUNGER. THE HUNGER FOR AN ALTERNATIVE, AND THE REFUSAL TO ACCEPT A LIFE OF UNHAPPINESS." (06.07.2009)