I stumbled on this film tonight by a stroke of good luck. It starred Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly and Patrick Wilson. I've only been exposed to Patrick Wilson since Angels in America, except for the fact that he has a receding hairline, he has an exceptionally Adonis-like face, the epitome of Western male beauty, almost, almost. But regardless, I was more captivated not by the looks of these stars, but by the storyline and the acting.
The scene stealer however would have to be Jackie Earle Haley, of whom I've never personally seen before, but in this particular movie, plays a sex offender, an adult male with serious psycho-sexual issues. I was blown away by the ending of the film, actually. It was heartbreaking, it was stunning, it was tragic on the level of the best of those Greek dramas.
The film's title "Little Children" is brilliant, as it offers a satirical reading on the film's characters, most of whom are ostensibly adults yet behave in ways that makes it clear that they are still very much, children.
I suppose I ought to provide a movie synopsis like any faithful fifth grader giving a book report, but I don't really want to. All I want to say (or gush) is that this film stirred something deep within me. I've always been of the mindset that there is nothing more repulsive and reviling than a man who has to expose himself in public, or do dirty things to little children. I guess I failed to consider that these are sick individuals who are probably aware of their problems, but have not been able to overcome them, as humans often are apt to do. I fail to see them in a more humanistic light. Though I admit, it's difficult for me to draw that line. I do think though that next time I want to pass tall judgments on anyone, I should take a second or so to rein myself in and see if I can adjust my thinking to become a better human being.
