CULT DVD Review

Little Manhattan

Overall: 88%

Feature: 85%

Extras: 95%

Little Manhattan (2005)

10 year old Manhattan resident Gabe (Josh Hutcherson) finds his first love when he meets his former kindergarten mate, the eleven year old Rosemary (Charlie Ray), in his karate classes. Confused with his new feelings and with the divorce process of his beloved parents, Leslie (Cynthia Nixon) and Adam (Bradley Whitford), he experiences the delightful unknown sensation of being in love for the first time. We see this story through his eyes.

‘Little Manhattan’ is one of these films that could easily pass you by because it’s not a film that's attracted a lot of attention. It is simply told, the setting seems superb and what might have seemed a strange kind of story has an unexpected and cheerful resolution. It is a delightful film in every way and the acting, dialogue and storytelling is a thing to treasure. It's also a wonderful family oriented film, which is a rarity in these times. If you watch this, you will have moments of delight and have scenes that you will talk about and love sharing with others. You will not be disappointed by this film. The child actors set the tone just right and the whole way the film is presented is perfect.

Little Manhattan

EXTRAS:

This disc allows scene selection, additional languages, adds trailers for upcoming movies alongside a very well crafted handful of extras on casting the movie, de-constructing an imaginative fantasy sequence of the film, a full length feature commentary by husband and wife writer and director Jennifer Flaubeck and Mark Levin (and also on the deleted scenes) and a short observation on the pros and cons of the young star not wearing a helmet when riding his scooter. The trailer for the film itself is witty and should encourage you to watch it.

Donald MacDonald

FEATURE: 85%

EXTRAS: 95%

OVERALL: 88%