Customer Reviews

Little Manhattan

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the genuine surprises to be released in 2005 was Little Manhattan, a charming, precious (without overdoing it) Woody Allen-esque ode to New York City for the elementary school set. It asks that age old question do girls mature faster than boys and proceeds to tell the story of a relationship between a boy and girl from the his point-of-view. The film was given very limited release in theatres and is now out on DVD where it will hopefully find a wider audience.

Most of the action takes place on the Upper West Side and for anyone who's lived there they will recognize familiar landmarks like the Beacon Theater, the Planetarium and Riverside Park. A lot of credit goes to filmmakers Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett for staying true to the geography of the city and shooting entirely on location as they provide a wonderful travelogue of the lesser known side of Broadway.

Little Manhattan doesn't sugarcoat the messiness of relationships and the sometimes bittersweet nature of love no matter what the age. Even when things don't work out, hopefully you learn from the experience and are a better person for having gone through it. Most kid's movies are either too cutesy or try too hard to make them little J.D. Salinger-esque adults. This film gets it just right, treading the line between both, never having too much of one and always maintaining a balance.

There is an audio commentary by director Mark Levin and screenwriter Jennifer Flackett. They consciously wrote their movie in a way that it had to be shot in New York City and could not be doubled in Toronto as is commonly done. Levin and Flackett acknowledge Woody Allen as an obvious influence on their movie, citing Annie Hall specifically, and also When Harry Met Sally. This is a pleasant track as they take us through various aspects of their feature film debut.

There are four deleted scenes with optional commentary by Levin and Flackett. In a nice scene, Gabe has a vision of people on the street spontaneously breaking into a song and dance number that should have stayed in.

"Helmet Interview." Levin and Flackett ran into interference from the studio that feared a backlash from Gabe riding around on his scooter without a helmet and so to appease them, they filmed all the scooter scenes with and without the helmet and this extra presents the helmet footage.

"Sheep Meadow Segment" takes us through the sequence where sheep magically appear in Central Park. Using live sheep proved problematic so they used CGI to create a herd that they could control. This featurette shows the various stages of the sequence.

"From Scout to Screen" takes us through the scouting of locations for several sequences to the final cut that is in the film.

Finally, there is the theatrical trailer.

I have just seen this movie on an airplane. I was wonderful. It was so accurate about young love and the feelings it brought up, that I was instantly transported back to my childhood! It was funny and touching, and made me forget my surroundings for the full 2 hours! It made me cry in some spots, and laugh out loud in others. All in all I recommend this movie for all who want to take a trip back to their childhood. The lead actor and actress are wonderful, and I expect them to have a very sucessful career. The lead actress is beautiful, and will be a stunning young woman very soon.

OK, finally the wait was finally over and Australian audiences got to see the movie... In MARCH!

I went with my two girlfriends to see it last Sunday afternoon. I had read the reviews where people had said the dialog was too old for the Gabe... I disagree... considering he is an only child of what can be assumed to be professional parents - in this world of instant and constant media, a 11 year old in that situation could well be versed in what was going on around him.

I went with the expectation to enjoy the movie... but I was really quite suprised that it twanged at my heart strings right at the end... I'm not ashamed to admit, I got a little misty eyed when Adam told his son he had cleared out some of the spare room... it was so sweet.

Loved it, can't wait to get my copy!

Although I'm just past that age when kids experience those first "puppy love" experiences, this movie hit home with me. I found the movie on accident, and I'm very glad. I was in Blockbuster one day, scanning the new releases section, and I came upon a movie with two kids on the front. Naturally, I had a look, since most of the movies around were publicizing sex and all the stuff you normally see today, and this one had KIDS on the front. Can you believe that?!??! I watched it one time and was hooked.

Little Manhattan follows two 10-year-olds who live in the heart of New York City and have known each other since kindergarten. Sure, Gabe and Rosemary were friends when they were very little and naive. But in first grade, boys and girls just started not hanging out. They were apparently completely different species, and if a girl even barely touched a boy, he had cooties and was terminally ill forever. The two kids see each other in karate class, but remain only acquaintances in that part of their lives. At school, things remained the same. When they become sparring partners, Gabe is less than thrilled, but happy he has a familiar face in the class. But as the two get to know each other better, you can see them falling for each other bit by bit as the friendship develops. But love can be hard, and that's what Gabe realizes as his parents are going through a divorce at the same time.

This love story's setting in beautiful Manhattan and Central Park, paired with an amazing soundtrack, makes the story even more attractive. I really want to see the sights of New York now. The lead actor and actress (although Josh Hutcherson, who portrays Gabe, has already been fairly successful) have promising careers ahead. They did so well at truly showing what its like to have a first love. I rate this movie 5+ stars, it's one of the best-and one of the best-kept secrets-of the year!!

ANYONE THAT HAS EVER LOVED WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR FIRST LOVE!
WITH THAT SWEET SENTIMENT IN MIND...YOU HAVE TO LOVE THIS MOVIE!!
WITH MOVING PERFORMANCES BY THE TWO LEADS AND THE SUPPORTING ACTORS, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST COMING OF AGE MOVIES OF ALL TIME!!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO PRE-TEENS AND ADULTS ALIKE!!

I also saw this one on a flight. They started it while we were still on the runway and due to weather conditions we were still on the runway when it ended. Amazingly, everyone still seemed happy and content because the movie not only passed the time but was so sweet, touching and accurate about the trials of being a normal kid. This speaks volumes about the movie and how it can appeal to just about everybody. I'm so sad to see it isn't coming out until April. Since I saw it in December I have been telling everyone how great it is and will be one of the first to purchase it come April. I can't wait!

Little Manhattan brought back a slew of memories for me also. This movie brought to the fore the feelings that I had had (as a pre-teen & teen), but just didn't have the voice to express my feelings to the females with whom I was enamored. Now, I didn't cry as our young man did in the DVD, but I did understand (and could relate).

I wouldn't relive those days even if you paid me! I would recommend this flick to all pre-teen and teen young men as course 101 in the art of expressing one's feelings to females - but the fact is, that with the emotion that we call love, there is no 'art' to it. If you wear your heart on your sleeve, chances are it's going to be broken - be ready - if you can.

To anyone that reads this - have your pre-teen and teenage sons watch this. If they say, "That will never happen to me!", just smile at them and say, "If you say so..." and leave it at that!!

This movie was a blind-buy in my case, and I have to say, I wasn't in the least bit dissapointed.

The basis of the story is young "ten-and-three-quarters" year old Gabe who falls in love with Rosemary.
The movie is wonderful. It's a love story, but it's innocent and bittersweet, which gives it it's charm. The movie is one to which everyone can relate to. Rosemary and Gabe are like our inner child, and New York City as the setting is beautiful, it gives off the "magical place where anything can happen" aura.
The cast is also incredible.

Everything fits and comes together almost perfectly. I especially liked the fact that they made Gabe the narrator and that he doesn't come off as corny, but more as a cynic as far as love and girls go (which would be understandable for his age). The movie never loses pace and I didn't once look at my watch, which is a huge plus.
Overall, it's a movie I really enjoyed watching and that I'd highly recommend.

It is amazing. It's great For The whole family. It's not out in this country yet so i thought I'd order it. It wasn't a waste of money. It's 90 Mins long so i think that it was a bit short. Its about a boy and a girl falling in love for the first time
I Give This Movie 5 Stars I Would Recomend This To Everyone. A (aged 14)

It's very rare to find a romantic comedy that's appropriate for kids, and still poignant and funny enough for adults. Most have jokes that are either funny but too crude for children, or fall flat; romance that's either too mushy for men and boys or not powerful enough for women. But this story from the point of view of a 10-year old boy, Gabe (Josh Hutcherson), falling head-over-heels in love with a slightly older girl, hits the mark so right on target with a clear, honest script, the writer director team (husband and wife Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett) deserve an award for marksmanship if not an Oscar. One of my favorite lines is when Gabe tells the elevator operator: "Just some . . . date ... with some ... girl." But that attempt at nonchalance is an exception from most of his narration, which is ernestly romantic and anguished.


The only really similar film I can think of is Lucas (1986) (starring Corey Haim) and Little Manhattan is comparable in quality as well as theme, but significantly different in plot and setting. Hutcherson's acting is outstanding for his age, a feat repeated in his performance in the recent Bridge to Terabithia. That film also has some similarities: both deal with a relationship between a young boy and girl, and both have a few little special effects shots showing the children's imagination; so if you liked Terabithia but prefer something funnier & less sad, this is your ticket. It's pleasant, funny and endearing throughout, and though it might make some chicks cry at some points, it's not because anybody dies or anything. The young heros cynical view of love may be the only thing that saves him (maybe something better saves him, you'll have to watch to find out).

This is one of those movies to always keep handy for rainy days when you can't agree on what to watch. Oh, yeah, and the end credits features one of my favorite songs, "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)."

If you like Little Manhattan I would also recommend The Dust Factory, Lucas (1986), and Bridge to Terabithia.