Little Children - Review

This weekend Jennifer and I rented the movie Little Children. The best way to describe this movie is that it is very close to American Beauty. The movie is a character driven story that follows the lives of two suburban parents who get entangled in an affair. Even though the movie ends with a predictable climax, the view into the various lives of the different characters, the realistic children, and the dynamics of the mundane life make for a great film. What really made the movie for me was the addition of a narrator who added extra commentary when necessary. The insights and comedic value of the narrator added a literary feel to the movie which was a recurring theme.

Even though I'm not a big fan of Kate Winslet, I feel she played her role as a confused, intelligent, lonely mother quite well. Jackie Earle Haley played the role of Ronnie the lonely sexual deviant who's story arc finished with an ending that was heavily forshadowed through out the movie. He played the roll well enough to be creepy, yet you did feel bad for him at times.

I give the movie 7.5/10.

Pros:
Great Characters
Excellent storyline and arc
Realistic Children
Narrator adds depth

Cons:
Predictable ending
Unexplained reactions of certain characters (the babysitter)

Notes:
If you prefer not to watch movies with sex scenes, stay away from this one.