Little Manhattan (2005)
Bittersweet memories
How many can recall their first attempt, as kids, to understand the complexities of life and love? I'm not one of them.
In the late 1980s, tales of such bittersweet memories were presented in the weekly ABC TV series, The Wonder Years. Fans of the coming-of-age show will remember Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) who recounts what it's like growing up in suburban America during the 1960s.
On of the show's writers was Mark Levin. Now for his film directorial debut, he updates The Wonder Years - the result is Little Manhattan.
In this modern spin, Gabe is a fifth grader living in the Upper West Side. He can't fully comprehend the fact that his estranged parents live in the same apartment. Yet his life, which revolves around his buddies, basketball and scooting around the 10 square blocks around his building, is bliss - until Rosemary Telesco comes into his life.
Gabe has known Rosemary since nursery school, but when they become sparring partners in karate class, the 10-year-old lad develops feelings for her that both thrill and torment him. He falls into an agonizing dilemma after learning that she's leaving for summer camp. Will she be his girl?
What makes Little Manhattan endearing are the characters that the viewers can relate to, and moments such as those known to make life meaningful. Levin also injects a touch of magic realism, a maneuver that made Ally McBeal a little more entertaining (though the effect here isn't meant to be hilarious).
Everything in Manhattan we've seen countless times, but Jennifer's Flackett's screenplay brims with sincerity, which is irresistible. Further, Levin picked his actors well (it's great to see Sex and the City stars Cynthia Nixon and Willie Garson again). But much of the credit goes to the songs - the selection is excellent for walking down memory lane (for instance, The Beatles' In My Life).
Little Manhattan is not among the most memorable films of 2005. Nor is it one that many might remember 10 years from now. But it certainly makes entertaining viewing.
(First published in Philippine Daily Inquirer on January 25, 2006)
How many can recall their first attempt, as kids, to understand the complexities of life and love? I'm not one of them.
In the late 1980s, tales of such bittersweet memories were presented in the weekly ABC TV series, The Wonder Years. Fans of the coming-of-age show will remember Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) who recounts what it's like growing up in suburban America during the 1960s.
On of the show's writers was Mark Levin. Now for his film directorial debut, he updates The Wonder Years - the result is Little Manhattan.
In this modern spin, Gabe is a fifth grader living in the Upper West Side. He can't fully comprehend the fact that his estranged parents live in the same apartment. Yet his life, which revolves around his buddies, basketball and scooting around the 10 square blocks around his building, is bliss - until Rosemary Telesco comes into his life.
Gabe has known Rosemary since nursery school, but when they become sparring partners in karate class, the 10-year-old lad develops feelings for her that both thrill and torment him. He falls into an agonizing dilemma after learning that she's leaving for summer camp. Will she be his girl?
What makes Little Manhattan endearing are the characters that the viewers can relate to, and moments such as those known to make life meaningful. Levin also injects a touch of magic realism, a maneuver that made Ally McBeal a little more entertaining (though the effect here isn't meant to be hilarious).
Everything in Manhattan we've seen countless times, but Jennifer's Flackett's screenplay brims with sincerity, which is irresistible. Further, Levin picked his actors well (it's great to see Sex and the City stars Cynthia Nixon and Willie Garson again). But much of the credit goes to the songs - the selection is excellent for walking down memory lane (for instance, The Beatles' In My Life).
Little Manhattan is not among the most memorable films of 2005. Nor is it one that many might remember 10 years from now. But it certainly makes entertaining viewing.
(First published in Philippine Daily Inquirer on January 25, 2006)
posted by Francis Rex Alger @ 5:14 PM
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