His follow-up film Little Children continues that theme to a more thorough level. It isn't just chronicling a couple falling apart after a tragedy as In the Bedroom did. It shows the sometimes forbidden desires people can indulge in. And believe me, it gets pretty sinful in some scenes.
How so? Sarah (Kate Winslet) and Brad (Patrick Wilson), both married to other people, are engaged in a steamy affair. (Her husband Richard (Gregg Edelman) recently got addicted to porn.) Ronnie (Jackie Earle Haley) is a recently-released sex offender trying to have a normal life but disgraced cop Larry (Noah Emmerich) won't allow it.
This I like with the Sarah and Brad story. She wants the attention her husband won't give her. He wants to feel in charge since his wife Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) basically wears the pants in the marriage. They find their needs in each other. This is the kind of love story I like.
Little Children is a damn good film. Winslet, Wilson and Haley give great performances as people trying to change their lives around. (On a different note, where has Connelly disappeared to?) This is a character study I can see myself watching time and time again.
My Rating: *****
I really love this movie. The performances are fantastic like you said. Especially Haley, there were times I almost felt bad for his character, and other times where I was shocked about what he was doing. (the car scene with his date)
ReplyDeleteI wonder the same thing about Jennifer. I'm going skews doing independent film in Australia or something. Thanks for sharing Movie Nut
ReplyDelete-Maurice Mitchell
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