Anyone seen "Little Children" (movie w/ Kate Winslet, etc.)? - Page 2

[That Is Nice]

I've been thinking about the book and the movie portrayals of Todd's wife, and whether they were that different. They were a bit different, but not overly so.

I think, perhaps, in the movie they needed to show that Todd was conflicted, and unhappy, but not a total lout, so for the audience to be sympathethic and understanding, they showed his wife to be just a tad bit harsher in the movie than in the book, but not a dramatic change.

Otherwise, I think Todd might look like a cad...having a wife who supported him financially, who he is telling her he is studying late nights at the library for the bar exam when he is not, and having an affair with a SAHM he met at the pool, not to mention being jealous of her close relationship with their child.

If Todd looks like a cad, then we would wonder why Sarah would plan a life, and an escape, with him. I still wondered that. And I felt sympathetic towards Sarah and also Todd's wife (and definitely for the two kids).

[That Is Nice]

Originally Posted by riverscout

Kathy was her name. I never read the book so I was wondering do you think that she was a more sympathetic character in the book than in the movie? Because I didn't find myself feeling particularly sorry for her in the movie. I thought she was kind of...I dunno...emotionally distant maybe. And I thought she was kind of emasculating too.

I'm curious in what ways you saw Kathy as emasculating Todd? I thought Todd emasculated himself.

I re-interested in the book now, having read it over a year ago. I might read it again!

[riverscout]

Originally Posted by That Is Nice

I've been thinking about the book and the movie portrayals of Todd's wife, and whether they were that different. They were a bit different, but not overly so.

I think, perhaps, in the movie they needed to show that Todd was conflicted, and unhappy, but not a total lout, so for the audience to be sympathethic and understanding, they showed his wife to be just a tad bit harsher in the movie than in the book, but not a dramatic change.

Otherwise, I think Todd might look like a cad...having a wife who supported him financially, who he is telling her he is studying late nights at the library for the bar exam when he is not, and having an affair with a SAHM he met at the pool, not to mention being jealous of her close relationship with their child.

If Todd looks like a cad, then we would wonder why Sarah would plan a life, and an escape, with him. I still wondered that. And I felt sympathetic towards Sarah and also Todd's wife (and definitely for the two kids).

That is exactly what I was thinking after I read your earlier post.

Originally Posted by That Is Nice

I'm curious in what ways you saw Kathy as emasculating Todd? I thought Todd emasculated himself.

It's been awhile since I've seen the movie, so it's hard to remember specific examples. Basically, I just remember that was the vibe that I got. And for the reasons you mentioned above, I imagine it was intentional.

The only concrete example I can recall at the moment was when she was harassing him about his magazine subscriptions. I just remember thinking she was talking to him like a child. That said, he did seem pretty childish, so maybe he deserved it.

You've got my interest piqued about the book. I might have to put it on my list to read.

[oceane]

I didn't really like the book, I did not enjoy the style. and the ending was kinda out there. but I love Kate Winslet so I will probably rent the movie at some point.

[That Is Nice]

I agree. I think Kate Winslet is just about the finest actress out there. She's right up there with Meryl Streep as far as range and acting ability.

[That Is Nice]

Yes, I agree. The book and the film were a bit dark. And I really did not like the over-narration of the film.

I really struggled to understand the intertwining themes of the SAHMs and SAHDs, and the man released from prison who moved back in with his mother.

I saw the connection, but I didn't really get it beyond that the adults were the ones acting like "little children" and that they all had secrets and vulnerabilities and in the end Sarah's maternal instinct kicks in the most unexpected way.

[Mommy&Will]

In the same vein of Little Children.... DH and I made YET ANOTHER mistake and went to see Revolutionary Road with Kate Winslet and Leo DeCaprio.


Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

We just don't know how to pick 'em. We should have gone to see The Reader.
We had free movie passes - what a waste. And can you believe it costs $10 to see a movie these days????

[That Is Nice]

Originally Posted by Mommy&Will

In the same vein of Little Children.... DH and I made YET ANOTHER mistake and went to see Revolutionary Road with Kate Winslet and Leo DeCaprio.


Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

We just don't know how to pick 'em. We should have gone to see The Reader.
We had free movie passes - what a waste. And can you believe it costs $10 to see a movie these days????

Oh, do tell! I'm curious why you didn't like it. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I read the book. I rarely go to the movies, but I've been tempted by Revolutionary Road because it's gotten such great reviews.

There is a thread in the book club section on Revolutionary Road, too.