Bring on the cooties

Little Manhattan

Written by Jennifer Flackett. Directed by Mark Levin. Starring Josh Hutcherson (Zathura), Charlie Ray, Bradley Whitford, and Cynthia Nixon.

Running Time: 84 minutes.

Story

I don't know if I can call this a coming of age comedy/story, but it's certainly a falling in love story. You can call it a romantic comedy, with emphasis on comedy. 10-year old Gabe used to think girls are disgusting creatures that could bring you cooties (without knowing what 'cooties' mean), until he discovers 11-year old Rosemary Telesco. Actually Gabe rediscovers her since she's been his classmate since kindergarten. He fell in love with her, and she with him. He discovers romantic love at the same time he discovered the end of another one. His parents are getting a divorce. Will it be a happy ending for Gabe and Rosemary? Will it be a sad ending for Gabe's parents?

Impression

About two minutes into the movie, you'll immediately know that this is more of a comedy than a sappy coming-of-age drama. I love comedies and this is among the funniest movie that I've seen. The characters are not kidding with each other, but they came out very funny. There's plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It does say a lot about how funny our lives can be, without us meaning them to be funny.

It's also a movie about a small portion of New York City and I can say it's a good movie about that portion of the city. It's definitely a movie born out of the writer and director's love of the city (New Yorker husband and wife team).

Would I see it again? Definitely. Would I recommend it to my friends? Definitely. To those who love comedies, anyway.