 First
love. Something so sweetly innocent yet perhaps even more glorious and
magnificent than one's last love. And something that causes the rules
between elementary school aged boys and girls to change forever.
10 year old Gabe has the perfect life -
sports, video games and hanging out with his guy friends. Girls? Who
needs 'em. Well, let's think this through again - especially where
classmate Rosemary Telesco is involved. Thanks to a summer karate
program, the two find themselves keeping company together on an almost
daily basis. Enjoying the time he spends with her, Gabe soon realizes
that girls really aren't that "icky" - at least when it comes
to one particular girl - and he soon finds his entire world turned
upside down when Rosemary goes from being just someone to hang out with
to being " a girl." Like Freddy Bartholomew in "My Fair
Lady", Gabe is overjoyed just to be on the street where Rosemary
lives; staring at the building; looking for lights to come on or shades
to open; just so he can catch a glimpse of his own fair lady.
Overcome with the futility of his
efforts, frustration turns to pubescent embarrassment when Gabe goes to
leave his watchful post only to crash into Rosemary and her nanny. In a
most gallant maneuver, Gabe quickly regains his composure and offers to
escort Rosemary to Central Park where their courtship finally takes on a
life of its own; or as Gabe puts it, something he wouldn't wish on his
own worst enemy. As Gabe and Rosemary experience the highs and lows of
relationship heaven and hell, Gabe soon finds himself faced with his
biggest dilemma yet - telling Rosemary how he really feels about her
before she leaves for camp for the remainder of the summer. From the
trepidation of that first kiss to holding hands for the first time,
every element of their story is like magic. Josh Hutcherson stars as
Gabe and what a star performance he gives. With the fate of the film
resting largely on his shoulders, Josh is one of the few young actors
with a sense of timing, emotion and skill that is not learned, but
rather comes from within. The maturity tinged innocence is captivating
both through his facial and physical expressiveness as well as effective
narration and vocal performance. His emotional honesty is both
heartwarming and at times heartbreaking and carries the film from
beginning to end. Newcomer Charlie Ray does more than hold her own as
Rosemary to Hutcherson's Gabe. A natural, carefree elan pervades her
performance making Rosemary as endearing as Gabe is nervously charming.
Their chemistry together has a sweetness and believability that I would
hope some filmmaker revisits in the future. Bradley Whitford and Cynthia
Nixon are more than effective as Gabe's parents. Real people with real
problems, they both bring an eye-opening clarity to the! ir characters
and the perception and interpretation of the family unit.
A former producer of "The Wonder
Years", director Mark Levin clearly has a sensitivity for the
trials and tribulations of a fifth grader. Here, he wisely relies on the
strength of the story and the characters to the carry the film, allowing
the natural comedy and emotion of the human condition to flow rather
than be forced through fixated plot devices. The attention to emotional
and character detail is also due in large part to screenwriter Jennifer
Flackett. With no stone left unturned, embarrassing and fearful moments
are treated with as much unfettered honesty as the nervousness and
sweaty palms of a young boy waiting for just a glimpse of his love. As
you watch this story unfold, you'll find yourself recalling with
fondness, or perhaps even a blush of the cheek, your own first love and
all those lazy days of youth that seem so far away now.
One of the best romantic comedies of the
year (for all ages), Mark Levin's capable intelligent direction gives us
an intelligently mature and layered film with a beauty and freshness
that transcends time, speaking to each of us with a gentle reminder of
the simple joys of life and love.
Gabe: Josh Hutcherson Rosemary: Charlie
Ray Adam: Bradley Whitford Leslie: Cynthia Nixon Directed by Mark Levin.
Written by Jennifer Flackett. Rated PG. (84 min)
|
