This past weekend I spent some quality time in the movie theater. While in Manhattan, I figured it would be timely to see the film Little Manhattan. The movie, which stars Cynthia Nixon, Bradley Whitford and newcomer Josh Hutcherson, is about two kids who fall in love in New York’s Upper West Side.
I couldn’t have been more excited, having been in the area as an 11-year-old myself. As I walked into the dark theater, past the dimly lit aisles and noticed that there were children in the seats, I was confused – I had come to see a movie about love, not kids stuff. I almost turned around, but because the ticket prices in New York City are astronomical, I stayed. After I got over the feeling of creepiness at watching 11-year-olds fall in love, I was really glad I saw it.
This is the first film in a long time that has just put me in a good mood. The main character, Gabe was actually played by someone who seemed around the age of 11 – a rarity in an era where teens are played by chain-smoking 30-year-olds with growth problems. He lives on the Upper West Side with his divorced parents (played by Nixon and Whitford.) Directed by Mark Levin (Wimbeldon), the story basically follows Gabe’s awakening to liking girls and eventual first kiss with one in particular. Not since Woody Allen has there been such a beautiful view of Manhattan (that may be an exaggeration). It was funny (for the adults, but also for the kids) and the special effects made it feel very cutting edge.
Now, I would say go out and see it for yourself, but the movie may not make it to Ithaca. It did not make it into the weekend top five of the box office either. This is really more about your inner child.
Some might say that the average college student indulges their inner child quite enough. We throw tantrums, freak out and get silly on Saturday nights. But for the past two months of school, seniors have been drudging back and forth to Barnes Hall for interviews, or, for you future lawyers, to Myron Taylor Hall for the LSAT’s. Now is a time to breathe a sigh of relief. Fall break marks a time when the first (and for some, final) round of interviews are over and when prelims as well as the first LSAT testing of the fall has been taken. You have been serious long enough. How about some ice cream for that inner child – I mean full out ice cream, no stinking Tasti.
Think about it another way. For a couple more months, you can take risks and not be afraid that you will fall, just like you did when you were a kid. For many, myself included, the search will continue, but even we should realize that this is the time to act out. You are not in the real world yet, baby.
Archived article by Logan Bromer
Sun Associate Arts & Entertainment Editor