Little Manhattan

In Manhattan, the 10 ¾ years old Gabe (Josh Hutcherson) finds his first love when he meets his former kindergarten mate, the eleven years old Rosemary (Charlie Ray), in his karate classes. Confused with his new feelings and with the divorce process of his beloved parents, Leslie (Cynthia Nixon) and Adam (Bradley Whitford), he experiences the delightful unknown sensation of being in love for the first time.

When my friends from the best rental in Rio de Janeiro recommended this movie, I was quite reluctant to buy it. Fortunately I listened to their advice and saw this great little gem. The sensitive director Mark Levin has captured many adorable scenes and sequence of this lovely and charming central pair in delightful situations. Further, orphans of "Sex & the City" like me have the chance to see Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) and Willie Garson (Stanford Blatch) again. I would like to thank you, Cris and my dearest friends of Imaginario, for your recommendation. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O ABC do Amor" ("The ABC of Love")

It's simple, it's cute, it's unpretentious, and it's pretty much blood-free. It tells a sweet story about innocence and romance which is applicable to all of us despite using 11 year-old kids (Josh Hutcherson, a "veteran" and Charlie Rose, a newcomer) as its main players...This film will remind many of you of "The Wonder Years", which of course isn't a bad thing (Wouldn't you say that was GREAT television??). There is a nice parallel in the story in that while the main character is falling in love, his own parents are falling out of it and headed for the splits.

Mark Levin (Wimbledon, and yes...The Wonder Years) turns in another solid effort and shows he is anything but complacent - He gets great work out of his actors and the cinematography makes Manhattan a sparkling place for all. The story is key in a film with no action, violence, or thrills and thankfully, the story here strikes a chord with just about everyone! See it now before it becomes a XMAS blockbuster!

I want to shine the spotlight on a nice, little movie that might slip under your radar, and it shouldn't. LITTLE MANHATTAN is about a young boy in NYC, named Gabe, and his first crush on a girl, ever. Quite an awkward transition, considering girls have cooties, and are gross horrible creatures to a boy of ten. Our hero though is growing up. Presently Gabe is 10 ¾ years old and the girl of his affection, is 11 year old Rosemary, who is quite a match in the karate class they both attend. Quite suddenly this strange change occurs and there Rosemary is. The same girl he had grown up with in school, and went to kindergarten with, but now it is different. He actually notices her. Where did this nervousness come from that springs up every time he is in her presence? What does it mean? It does not help matters any that his parent's are in the middle of a prolonged divorce, where they have to cohabitate the same apartment until the paperwork goes through. Oh, the insecurity! This thing called "love" is sure accompanied by a fair share of highs and lows. We were all there (or will be), what an age. I certainly am glad that you only have to go through that part of growing up, only once. The film captures the age & subject matter perfectly. All the questions, inner dialogue, and those puzzling things we notice about the opposite sex (and continue to notice as we grow up, I might add). That treacherous area we tread between youth and adolescence, fraught with a childlike confusion at this new territory. The two young actors playing Gabe and Rosemary hit the right chords. The filmmakers capture their viewpoint wonderfully, splashing it onto the screen. It is a great joy to watch this awkward stage played out so well, on film, in this love story for all ages. Don't let this one slip away. Rated PG.

Remembering my own youth, growing up and discovering girls for the first time, I was able to relive some of those moments, some funny, some agonizing, all right on.

Josh Hutcheson and Charlie Ray both did an outstanding job portraying the (sometimes) pain of growing up -- the sweaty palms, the horror of not knowing what to say, or saying it and being afraid of sounding so stupid. Oh, the lost opportunities! At least, I never got cooties.

What a great performance by Miss Ray in her screen debut. She can do more with a smile and a raised eyebrow than most actresses can do with a thousand pages of script. Hope she keeps brightening up the world.

This film was recommended to me by a conservative organization that promotes traditional family values and decency. It is worth a look.

Little Manhattan was a fun ride from beginning to end.

I took my wife and daughters who are 13 and 11 years old and everyone had a good time. I really lost my self in this story. It was good natured without being corny.

This is the first time I saw a movie that makes me want to visit New York.

With all of the mean spirited movies out today this reminds of how nice it is to enjoy a good story. I would like to see more of this kind of writing in every movie.

I plan to buy the DVD for my 11 year old when it becomes available.