LITTLE MEN

This small and affecting low budget family drama had its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, and is mandatory family viewing. The film is set in Brooklyn and realistically showcases how adult problems can shatter the friendship between children.

When 13-year-old Jake’s grandfather dies, the family move from Manhattan to Brooklyn and live in an inherited apartment. A close friendship builds between Jake and Tony, a boy whose mother runs a dress shop downstairs, which has also been inherited by Jake’s father. Financially inept, he raises the lease on the store, which ignites a feud between the parents.

The boys quickly learn the importance of money in an adult’s world and how ruthless they can be in handling financial matters with others. These young boys are growing up quickly, they are “little men” who seem to have more sensitivity and tack than the adults.

This movie is simplistic, easy viewing and audiences should connect to the many universal themes which emerge.

Indirectly an ‘educational tool’, this film should be watched by families and discussed afterwards. The pivotal message conveyed is that money can come between people and inflict life changes – good and bad. (MMo)

★★★1/2