Big Apple

There probably isn’t any way of describing the plot of Little Manhattan that will make you exclaim “yeah baby, I gotta get me some of that.” You probably wouldn’t ever say “yeah baby” anyway but that’s by the by. The fact remains that there is no way of describing this plot in an even vaguely enticing manner.

So let’s get it out of the way quickly: Little Manhattan is a romantic comedy about two 11-year olds.

And, of course, you don’t want to see it now, do you? Which would be a crying shame because there hasn’t been a romantic comedy this well observed for ages. There hasn’t been a film this witty for ages. And there hasn’t been a film this sweet and tender for even longer than that. In short, Little Manhattan is an absolute delight.

It’s vaguely reminiscent of The Wonder Years – not surprising as that’s where director Mark Levin cut his teeth – with so much of the story told via voiceover. In fact, it glows with the warmth of the best of that series, thanks to a great central performance from Josh Hutcherson as Gabe.

Gabe is a normal fifth grader, living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He hangs out with his friends, whizzes around the ten square blocks he’s allowed to whiz around in, and has absolutely, categorically no interest in girls. If it wasn’t for his divorcing parents (Cynthia Nixon and Bradley Whitford) still sharing the same apartment, he’d be as normal as all his friends.

And then Rosemary Telesco comes back into his life though, to tell the truth, she never went away. They were friends in kindergarten and attend the same school but, a few years ago, the wall came down where boys are boys, girls are girls and never the twain shall meet. Well, not for another year or two at least.

But one day at karate club, when Gabe and Rosemary (Charlie Ray) get paired off, Gabe suddenly “sees” Rosemary for the first time. And he’s smitten like only an 11-year old can be smitten.

The results, as declared above, are an absolute delight.