[font=century gothic]This came out of absolutely nowhere. I caught a few minutes of it on HBO and liked what I saw, but I had to see it from the beginning. I did last night and I have to say that this is a very good romantic comedy, and that's kind of bizzare since the main plot revolves around ten year olds. The only thing that I didn't really like about the film is some of the kid's narration. There are times when he sounds like a 35 year old screenwriter, and it becomes a little too noticeable and bothersome. Other than that, it's a very solid film.

A-[/font]

Well i needed to take out of my head the Requimen for a Dream so i turn the TV on and this movie was just starting. It was great and very cute.

A-

Basically what everyone said already. I remember eagerly anticipating this movie a few years ago and I was saddened by the fact that it never got the exposure it deserved theatrically. It's a truly delightful and sweet family film.

A-

just bought it

JMart has mentioned, there were times that the narration quite doesn't sound like 10 year-old thought. But having an 11 year old niece around myself everyday, believe me, you'd be surprised how today's 10 year old kid acts/thinks. This is not way off. It certainly didn't bother me. It's noticeable but never annoying. Besides, what won me over is, despite having the leads to be 10 year old kids, as a romantic comedy, this movie was a great one.

Oh yeah, and its cuteness.

A+

I'm one of the few here who saw it in the theater. ProbabLy the most unfairLy overLooked fiLm of 2005 and this and Monster-In-Law deserved to switched grosses.

B+

I think you're the only one here..

but

A-


Little Manhattan is a wonderfully sweet movie about first love and the roller coaster of emotions it takes you on. Told through the point of view of a 10-year old boy it actually offers a unique perspective usually not seen in movies. It's not a movie just for the kids, though, by far not. I think everyone who has ever been in love, ever had a crush on anyone can find something for himself/herself in this movie worth seeing.

At the beginning it took a bit to get used to the kid's voiceover. I must mention here that usually I am really not a big fan of voiceover's in movies. In some cases they can advance the story well, especially if it's an omniscient narrator, but usually it kind of detracts from what us shown. I prefer to see the films unfold themselves. That's why I was at first somewhat taken out of the movie. The monologues of the kids felt kind of awkward too...but after a while I not only got used to the inner monologues, but in fact came to appreciate them as they were what offered the film's unique insight. Admittedly, sometimes the train of thought of the boy felt older and more mature than that of a 10-year old, but I was willing to look past that. Little Manhattan ended up being one of the few films in which voiceover actually really served to advance the plot and to add more to what you already see. It is difficult to convey all the first-love emotions and thoughts visually, so the boy voiceover was actually a good idea afterall. I loved that it was jumpy, unfocused, insecure - that made them come across more real.

The love story is really one of the sweetest I have seen in quite some time. It somewhat reminded me of Let the Right One In, only without all the blood, gore and that one special twist. The kids had great chemistry with each other and while Josh Hutcherson did a solid job, I thought that Charlie Ray as Rosemary outshined him despite it being her movie debut. Cynthia Nixon and Brad Whitford were good as Gabe's parents too. Their relationship serves as the film's background, but moves more and more into the foreground as the film goes on.

Little Manhattan is a movie about first love, but also love in general. It is extremely easy to relate to (I can't really imagine anyone not being able to do that) and the emotions are conveyed real enough, so that you feel for and with Gabe. It makes some simple, yet good statements on love too and while the whole thing doesn't end up as happily as hoped for, it still leaves the viewer with a very optimistic feeling.

However, Little Manhattan is not just a film about love (young or old), but also a declaration of love to New York (Manhattan in particular). I have seen only a few films in which this city is such a livid and integral part of the film. It doesn't focus on the big landmarks of Manhattan, but mostly just on some smaller corners and streets, but having been to Manhattan before, I think you can feel the city in pretty much every scene of the movie. With its topic of relationships and its New York setting, Little Manhattan could have been directed by Woody Allen about 25 years ago, had he done a more less cynical family-oriented film.

Little Manhattan is a wonderful and sorely overlooked movie that anyone should seek out. Whether as a date flick, or a sentimental reminder of first love or just for the love of NYC - the movie has a lot to offer. It is imperfect in several points, but its sweetness and genuineness more than make up for that. It's not a film for cynics, but for romantics obviously and it works on more levels than one would initially expect.

I gave this A+

It's just A, actually

In any case, it's quite a gem. I hope more check it out.

Better than many romcoms this decade, yes, this decade. Just give this film a damn chance.

A-

I saw this the week it hit DVD. It was a wonderful gem! It deserved a wide theatrical release. This could have been a sleeper hit easily. What were they thinking?

Grade: 8/10 (A-)