LITTLE CHILDREN

Yikes, day 1 of VIFF and already I'm behind on my reviews, better get cracking, I certainly don't want to fall too far behind. Saw 5 films today - added to the three media screenings I saw on Tuesday, current favorites: Milarepa and No Mercy For The Rude. For now, back to the reviews...

Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson star in this film where symbolically everyone is a child, giving into their heart's desires until life delivers them a wakeup call. Sarah and Brad (Winslet and Wilson) meet one day in the neighborhood playground. Their casual chat leads to an innocent kiss which spirals into an affair which end up having them both decide that they want to run away together with their kids, until Sarah's daughter disappears when a known sex offender enters the park at night and Brad has a skateboarding accident on his way to meet Sarah. A slow start to the film, but good acting draws your attention in as we all ponder and wish that we could return childhood and do whatever our heart's desire without consequences. Growing up is only a hard pain and reality that we all need to face.