Film Review: The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)

What a freaky little movie starring one of my favorite actresses (Jodie Foster) portraying Rynn and a weirdo man named Frank (Martin Sheen) who lives on his own bit of homespun predatory behavior. Shot in Canada 30 years ago, it is beginning to show its age. Frank (Sheen) and his mother seemed to have a strange fascination with Rynn. They cannot seem to grasp why they never see anyone at the home but the child.

This is pretty much the story line. Rynn attempts to persuade the people of this small town that she and her father live in this old house together. We later find that is not the case. There are several situations with Frank and his mother which push the envelop attempting to uncover the truth about Rynn and her living arrangements. People with prying minds...well let's just say it rhymes with "pry". Don't get me wrong, Rynn is a manipulating and calculating young lady looking to serve her own best interests. She is a survivor. There are some good scenes which exemplify her ambition to succeed. Like when the mother threatens her with the school board, Rynn researches the matter and determines the woman is lying to her. Oh, did I mention the mother is also the landlord. There is another scene with Frank on the street and the police which pulls up behind her. She will later use this against him in a most non-apologetic way. These interactions only further complicate the relationships between the three. On a more pleasant note, Rynn finds herself a boyfriend. Albeit, while she is trying to conceal her crimes. Nevertheless, he comes to be quite fond of her or maybe it was the sex. Hmmmm...I wonder.

This is where Little Girl thrives. It is in the relationships and the confrontations which evolve that make this film a worthwhile adventure. They never quite give out all the details and this too helps the story move along and not become stagnant and boring. I kept wondering what was in the basement. You'll have to watch it to find out.

Having seen Little Girl for the first time, I can see the future Clarice Starling in its infancy. Even at such a young age (13-14), Jodie Foster pulls off a very compelling performance of struggle and hope. Rent a copy, find it playing late one night on satellite/cable, and you just might find how sweet the little girl who lives down the lane can really be.

Mike's Rating: 8 of 10 Spots of Tea (Highly recommended)

MPAA Rating: Rated PG for partial nudity, language, a few deaths, and mature subject matter

Running Time: 1 hour 31 minutes