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by Jonathan McKee Rated PG for mild thematic elements, language and brief action. Directed by Mark Levin Starring Charlie Ray, Josh Hutcherson, Bradley Whitford and Cynthia Nixon Jonathan's Rating: Worth Buying From one of the producers and story editors of The Wonder Years, get ready for a different kind of love story—the love between two 6th graders. I’m going to go on a limb to say this… but Hitch aside, this is the best date flick of 2005. Little Manhattan was fantastic. It was hilarious, romantic and just plain ol’ fun! I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. Don’t mistake it for a kids’ film. It’s no more a kids film than The Wonder Years was a kid’s T.V. show. Sure, my kids liked it… but my wife and I loved it. The story is about eleven-year-old Gabe, a New York city boy whose parents’ marriage is crumbling. Although Gabe’s friends spend little time noticing the opposite sex, Gabe notices Rosemary. After he finds the nerve to ask her on a date, the two sixth-graders spend some time together. Ice cream in central park, Razor scooter rides around the city, and sweaty palms holding hands under the table- these are the elements of sixth grade love. Just when Gabe plans to declare his feelings to Rosemary he learns that she is to attend summer camp. Gabe turns to his father for advice… which leads to more than everyone bargained for. Somehow this film has dodged attention, I hadn’t even heard of it. But don’t let that mislead you. This film is a jewel. The dialogue was authentic, the voiceover was extremely creative and the story line flowed naturally—it wasn’t forced. Some of my favorite ingredients were the karate scenes—hilarious moments- and the Michael Chat “imaginary friend” character. Performances were very natural, not always the case with young actors. Josh Hutcherson was phenomenal. I’d seen him twice already this year, in Zuthura and Kicking and Screaming and didn’t pay him much mind. Don’t get me wrong, he was fine in those roles, but he really trumped both performances as Gabe in Little Manhattan. And it didn’t hurt being backed up by the young rookie actress Charlie Ray (Rosemary) as well as West Wing’s Bradley Whitford and Sex in the City’s Cynthia Nixon. The film was also a love letter to New York City. I admit, this movie made me want to visit New York city. Often if a film is cute and innocent, that’s a recipe for BORING. Not in this case. Little Manhattan delivered. I’m not talking Oscar nods… but when’s the last time you smiled through an entire film? Needless to say, I’m eagerly awaiting the DVD release date. Little Manhattan is the perfect film to watch on a date, and it’s the perfect film to show in a group setting for a Valentines movie night. Don’t miss it… it’s like your first love, you’ll never forget it. |
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