Tom Perrotta's novel "Little Children" was translated to screen without the typical generational loss that occurs with most adaptations. This probably has something to do with the fact that the author himself wrote the screenplay- evident by the fact that he inserted himself (as the narrative voice) throughout most of the film. Circumstances as they are, watching the movie is effectively the same experience as reading the book, and with the cross-over from page to reel (to disc) also come the same liabilities and assets.

The assets, I'm pleased to say are many. This is a film meant for the at-home parent who feels trapped, isolated, confused, lost, or just... different. Included in the above list are most at-home Dads, and a few at-home moms. At-home Dads, by their very nature, feel like outcasts in our society. They go to mommy playgroups with much tension and awkwardness, they have few peers in their field, and mostly they can't put up with the bullshit of Mom-dominated suburbia. Not to be left out, there are obviously some young moms who shudder at the thought of becoming one of the pack of housewives whose very existence stokes the flames of their misanthropic tendencies. It's these two types of parents, the at-home dad and the outcast mom, who have a torrid affair in "Little Children".

Brad Adamson plays the role of the "prom king" Dad perfectly. He's become lost in the world of at-home parenting to the point that he can't even motivate himself to study for the BAR. Kate Winslet just knocks it out of the park with her portrayal of the outcast Mom. The acting is superb; it captures the intensity of feelings that can occur between characters at the end of their ropes, and it unleashes that reality straight into your own fears and insecurities as an at-home parent.

The characters are all very unique and refreshing; we typically don't see competent at-home dads on film, nor do we see moms so rebellious. But, there is something about Perrotta's writing that kills the mood- something stale and contrite. While he crafts these clever characters in interesting situations, he manages to pen the narrative and action with broad common strokes. For instance, the town menace, a cowardly pedophile, is named McGreevy (seems a little too uninspired of a name), and the middle aged jock who mistreats the pedophile by shouting into a bullhorn in the middle of the night is also a poorly written contrivance.

Not lost on me were the amazing sex scenes that featured a naked Kate Winslet at her most hardcore. It would be a shame to omit sharing that info on a site with depraved dads. :)

All in all, the flaws in the movie are minor nitpicks. The cinematography, characters, acting, and writing are all very well done. In all honesty, there is no reason that we all shouldn't have this movie in our personal collections- it would be like a rapper without Scarface or a Notre Dame nut without Rudy. And in case you've read the book and hated the ending, the movie changes it up for the better.

Rent it, and holler back your own thoughts.