the beat goes on

as a kid i loved the song 'little children' by billy j. kramer and the dakotas. it was gentle and sweet but provocative. 'i'll give you candy and a quarter, if you're quiet like you oughta be, and keep the secret with me.' those lyrics were a little spooky. the film, 'little children' is hardly based on the song, yet they share more than the title. you don't feel like dancing to either of them.

this is not exactly the kind of movie i would tell a friend to go and see. like a book by dennis cooper, it is an experience that is gratifying yet one i would rather a friend find on their own. then one day, out of the blue, you are saying to each other, 'you saw that?' or 'you read that?', followed by 'was that not incredible?'

the great kate winslet is one of many super actors who took the time to play unhappy grown ups walking through a town that is beautifully atmospheric. not for kids.