Thoughts on a Movie

A few nights ago, I stumbled upon the movie, Little Children. I had no idea what the movie was about or were it was going to take me. Had I known how this movie would have struck my core, I might not have, watched it because for the most part there is no good ending.

First, this movie was well acted and its writing was incredible. I always know when a movie is good when I no longer see the famous actor, I see, hear and feel that character. So from there, let me say that the romance, adultery, bizarre masturbation scene and intrigue was not what bothered me in the movie. What never left my head that night was the conflict I felt about the sex offender. I tend to watch movies and think about the plot in relation to real life.

As a mother, I rather have these individuals on their own planet. However, prior to a few scenes later in the movie, I felt some sympathy for the offender in that I questioned myself, asking "Can a sex offender be rehabilitated and can society accept and forget?" Part of me thought that maybe we can forgive, but deep down, I honestly can say "No, I can not forgive". It would be irresponsible for me, as a mother to do so.

Well, as the movie goes on and we see how this guy, the offender struggles to be accepted in his town, how his mother is trying to help him move forward in his life and then he lands a blind date. The date scenes start off normal and then as the female tells stories of her possible pastsexual abuse and mental break down, there is a shift. Later, after the two leave the restaurant, the offender does exactly what offenders do, they take advantage of those who can not protect themselves. His words during the act could scare anyone, although he was tiny like a young boy, he had power.

After those scenes, the rest of the movie played on and we saw how his mother struggled and the other characters struggled with their individual choices . The movie ended with no happy ending but it was so well written that it will leave the viewer satisfied.