I watched "Little Children"on DVD almost two months ago not knowing that it had not yet been released in the theatres. (As usual I thought I missed a theatrical release.) To my surprise, I just learnt that the movie had censorship problem and it has just been released here less than a couple of weeks ago.

 Good news is that finally, “Little Children” has been released in theatres (now showing at Apex cinema chain). It's rather late considered it was the film released in 2006 but it's better than not being showed at all. Bad news is that I don’t really know whether the Thai authorities (read--Edward Scissorshands) would do justice to the film.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s seen it in the movie theatre. I wonder whether they have blurred or chopped any part of the film. If it’s the case, it’s a pity for all film buffs.

.....spoiler from here.......

It is hard to figure out where to begin discussing "Little Children. Frankly speaking, the only thing I knew before I watched it was that Kate Winslet was in it. So I really enjoyed the film. After seeing it, I'd say it is one of the great films that I've watched recently.

One thing I can share is that you wouldn't want to miss it if you're a huge fan of Winslet.

Kate Winslet and the dull housewife role

Well, she is gorgeous and it is one the most convincing characters of her career. But Kate convinces me that she is Sarah, an ordinary housewife in a suburb that you can find at any playground. Kate has an absolute control of Sarah role. Personally, I believe it is one of her best to date. I do like her roles in "Holy Smoke", "Quills", and "The Life of David Gale" but now Sarah in "Little Children" tops my favourite Winslet chart.

I'd like to offer you guys an easy synopsis of the film but it is quite a tough task. Look at the movie trailer I put on the blog, you'd have some rough ideas. But, a big but, I want to warn you that the movie's studio New Line cinema narrowly picks "The Affair" to grasp your attention. It's not misleading but it's just a small part of the whole story.

Okay, let me share with you my thought on "Little Children"

A story of characters with flaws

They are different but all characters have their own flaws. At the beginning of the film, you would have little idea how the characters including a reformed paedophile Ronnie, Sarah, 'Prom King'-turned-a househusband Brad, ex-cop Larry would be interconnected.

I find the story full of surprises.

At the end, you may wonder: "So, who are those 'little children?" The movie may suggest you that 'little children' that run around the park and the pool are not the children that we have to worry about.

I'd just conclude it in my own words that every now and then, you'll see little children in your real life. Have you ever noticed a little boy hiding inside a big body?

 The sympathy for a pervert

To parents, the news that Ronnie has returned to a community creates fear and paranoia. The movie depicts the reaction of whole community so well especially in the 'pervert-in-the-pool' scene. Put your heart into it, what would you do in that situation when your child is the same pool that a 'paedolphile' is diving in it?

Towards the end of the film, I feel sorry for Ronnie. There must be such a case in real life where we overreact in accusing and socially punish people unknowingly.

In contrast, in a film we see other sides of the story but when it comes to a real life, how are we going to know and avoid this?

The narration

Arguably, the narration is one of the colourful parts of the films. Some say it is irritating and the others think it's overdone. But without the narration, "Little Children" may be a different movie to me. The narration contains nice satirical and at the same time tells us about the situation and characters. I like the narration about Sarah's feeling toward the other women at the playground. Without the narration, we would not see clearly that Sarah hides her rebellion inside the dull-looking housewife.

Motherly love

I'm a mother and I'm touched by this movie. "Show, don't tell" is the beauty of the film. "Little Children" shows us motherly love. May (Ronnie's mother) shows that no matter what your child has become, he is still her little one. Ronnie is a little beautiful thing to his mom, always. She adores him in the way any mother will adore her child. Her love is unconditioned with the most modest expectation: she just wants him to be a good boy. Moreover, she has faith in him.

On the other hand, Sarah is far from a dedicated mom. Unlike May, young mother Sarah let loose and has affairs with Brad, unleashing her selfishness and pursuing pleasure.

But in the end, her mother instinct reminds her that her Luci is the most precious treasure in her life. She lets go her selfishness in the end.

My most favourite quote

It may be a plain and common quote to many movie buffs but I love it anyway.

It is what May says to her son Ronnie:

"You're a miracle, Ronnie. We're all miracles. Know why? Because as humans, every day we go about our business, and all that time we know... we all know... that the things we love... the people we love, at any time now can all be taken away. We live knowing that and we keep going anyway. Animals don't do that."

Have you seen the film? Any idea to share or discuss? Please...