- THE FEAR OF THE LORD— What is it? Is it important?
- WISDOM— What is it and how can I become wiser?
- PURITY— Why should I save sex for marriage?
- DISEASE AND SUFFERING— Why is the world the way it is? Did God create it this way?
- EFFECTIVE RESPONSES— How can I best respond to tough questions from unbelievers?
- The Last Supper
- Snow White
- Novocaine
- Mickey 17
- Captain America: Brave New World
- Paddington in Peru
- Love Hurts
- Flight Risk
- Wolf Man
- Survive
Halle Berry, age — American actress, producer — “Never Let Go,” “Moonfall,” “Perfect Stranger,” “X-Men” 1-3, “Catwoman,” “Gothika,” “Die Another Day,” “Things We Lost in the Fire” • Faith: Secularism, but says she believes there is a god of some kind and has dabbled in various religions • Worldview: Progressive Liberalism (activist), Environmentalism
Neil Patrick Harris, age —American actor, singer, and magician—“A Series of Unfortunate Events” (TV series), “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” “Starship Troopers,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Muppets” • Faith: Agnosticism • Progressive Liberalism, Homosexuality (activist), Environmentalism • Harris was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people (2010).
Please take a moment now to pray for these influential people (prayer suggestions).
Little Men
for mild thematic elements and brief language.
Reviewed by: Brett Willis
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Better Than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Family |
| Genre: | Historical Drama |
| Length: | 1 hr. 38 min. |
| Year of Release: | 1997 |
| USA Release: |
| Featuring |
Michael Caloz Mariel Hemingway Chris Sarandon Ben Cook |
| Director |
Rodney Gibbons |
| Producer | Franco Battista, Pierre David, Josée Bernard, Tom Berry, Elissa McBride, Meyer Shwarzstein |
| Distributor | Legacy Releasing |
Since the oft-filmed “Little Women” was well-received when remade in 1994, and since “Little Men” had last been filmed in 1935 and 1940, someone eventually connected the dots and backed this remake. I can’t say how this version compares to others, since I’ve never seen any others nor read the novel; but it’s a very good family film in and of itself.
Boston street orphan Nat Blake (Michael Caloz) is caught in thievery and referred to the Plumfield School for Boys, run by Fritz and Jo Bhaer (Chris Sarandon, Mariel Hemingway). Yes, she’s the adult version of Jo from “Little Women”. The Bhaers have a rare gift for working with troubled youth. But when Nat’s hardened friend Dan (Ben Cook) also shows up at the home and begins to disrupt the routine, Fritz and Jo’s endurance is severely tested. Every story is based on conflict. Good stories, such as this one, resolve the conflict in ways that encourage us or teach us something.
The production values are high, cinematography is very good, special effects are convincing, and the acting is fine all around.
Content Warnings: One use of d* and a few profanity substitutes. The preteen boys are occasionally shown smoking, drinking, gambling, stealing, lying, fistfighting and playing dangerous “dare” games; but all of this is portrayed negatively. There’s one on-screen death (non-violent).
The ending is not only satisfying but is mutedly evangelical, as one of the formerly “tough” characters breaks into a chorus of “Amazing Grace.” This film is worth your and your family’s time.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Christian Spotlight reviews are those of the reviewers themselves, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Christian Answers.
My Ratings: [Good / 4½]