Anyone else see "Little Children"? (spoilers)

[CoffeeCat]

I just watched this on HBO. I was quite moved.

I live in suburbia, and it's interesting to see Hollywood take on the suburbs
as some kind of dysfunctional, hollow place--filled with primarily unhappy, maladjusted
people.

It's amazing how the movie accurately captured some of the stereotypical figures who
live in the suburbs.

I was struck by the world swirling around Kate Winslet. She was disconnected from her
role as wife and mother, and the relationship with her daughter was very painful to watch.

The pedophile seemed to represent misguided and misdirected outrage. The characters were so
aghast and angry at what this person did to children--while they missed the crimes they committed
against their own children. Sarah's neglect of her own children was toxic, as was the police officer's
poor treatment of his wife--calling her a whore "in front of the children."

The characters seemed to project their failings onto this pedophile.

I have to say, that pedophile was probably one of the creepiest, spot on acting jobs ever. I hated that
guy and he was obviously still an active pedophile who continued to act out and was and a danger to the community.

I was particularly stunned by his exchange with his blind date in the restaurant, and the subsequent situation
in the car. She explained, at dinner, that she had two breakdowns and a lifetime of pain. She laughed when
her therapist suggested that maybe she repressed childhood sexual abuse. The pedophile was visible irritated
by her suggestion that childhood sex abuse could damage a person, as she suggested. The scene in the car, validated
that she had indeed been sexually abused, as she regressed into the role of sex-abuse victim--going along
with the pedophile's acting out and being controlled by his threats. He took advantage of her "damage" and
treated her just as he would treat a child--right down to his "If you tell, I'll get you!" threat.

Chilling.

The ending was definitely feel-good. I was glad Sarah came to her senses. The scene when her daughter
is missing, with the time-bomb pedophile roaming around--was very intense.

Those are some of my thoughts...anyone else have any insight, thoughts or opinions of this movie?

[Wickerman]

1. highly recc the movie

Kate was brilliant as always and the characters were as disturbed and creepy as you suggest. I wasn't expecting the ending and as you suggest, it was a relief after all the tension - however, I don't consider it a cheap Hollywood happy ending.

[swimmernsecretsea]

2. It was one of the finest works of acting I've seen...

most especially from Kate Winslet, who is turning out greater and greater work. I thought everyone did a wonderful job in this film and it was one of the most unique takes on the suburban dystopia themes. I understand that Kate read with Jackie Earle Haley (Ronnie) and wept after his audition.

I was a nervous wreck after the film was over. I was so afraid of what might happen that I kept turning it off and watching only pieces of it until it was done.