Little Children

The Politics of raising Children. The Do’s and the Do Nots. The etiquette and the paranoia.

Such are the contemplations of parents, particularly the first child around.

Sarah (Kate Winslet) feels ill at ease amongst the mothers group she associates with at the local playground. Fortunately there’s a distraction in Mr Prom King (Patrick Wilson), the handsome young father who frequents there too. On a dare, Sarah must find out his phone number.

It begins innocently enough, but Sarah and Brad share more than a frustrated middle class suburban existence while their respective partners bring home the cookies. There’s a sex offender who has just been released back into the community placing everyone on edge, particularly Brad’s passing acquaintance, the ex police officer, Larry (Noah Emmerich), who’s taking it upon himself to keep an eye on Ronnie (Jackie Earle Haley), translate harassment, even though Ronnie’s living with his elderly mother.

The story seems simple enough, but like the best of art, it is deceptive. Director Todd Field analyses the power of desire and the need to feel valued, just like children do. In a way, we are all Little Children seeking affection and clarification.

This is a film rich in nuance. It is both profound and profoundly uncomfortable. It feels as though it could slip into tragedy at any moment, much like his previous powerful and disturbing work, In the Bedroom.

Todd Field co wrote the screenplay with Tom Perrotta (Election), on whose novel this is based.

There are many wonderful performances from a great ensemble cast, particularly the ever remarkable Winslet, but it is Field, an actor himself, who, along with the script, shines the brightest.

This is a film difficult to pigeonhole, but its observations will make couples and parents everywhere nodding and cringing in equal measure.

Oscar’s going to love these Little Children.