Tadpole (2002)

good back-story, and good acting

Absolutely Fantastic

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

I have to admit that my expectations were great for this movie. I spent an eternity looking for it on the net and found it in a not-so-good quality. But I have to say it was worth all effort, and made my evening pleasantly light.The story is in my opinion highly applicable even now. The "mature" teenagers that refuse to live the life that is given to them and jump from pond to pond like tadpoles that don't know their place. Besides, gives ground for very good, innocent humor. This is one of "Tadpole"'s most attractive qualities.The acting, needless to say, is a bouquet of flavors bound to suit the bigger part of the audience. The ladies of the movie are astonishing. Sigourney Weaver, with a slightly classy, slightly playful, slightly dramatic air around her makes her every reaction pleasurable. Bebe Neuwirth, on the other hand, is exquisite in her act as the seducer, the naughty middle-aged who likes to play around.For me, however, the debut of Aaron Stanford could not have been a better choice. His role was honest, childish, and playing around the poles. Between his disinterest for ignorant teenage girls and childlike attraction for older, more mature women, he is downright brilliant. An adorable role, and the actor does it much justice. The fact that the movie is short helps the plot, it does not allow it to become overly heavy and somber, lets it play along the edges. The subtlety in the more... tense scenes makes up for the charming character of the movie.And even if you think that the notion of the movie is not much to your liking, let me remind the last and key quote mentioned in it:If we don't find anything pleasant, at least we shall find something new.7/10

I would give this movie a lower rating if I weren't open to cerebral, NYC upper-class intellectual tales. I think the lower ratings may be given by some reviewers who are more attracted to a farcical coming-of-age movie like Risky Business or similar. Okay, that was insulting, but I want to say that this was a very nuanced film with a superb script, delivered by excellent actors who didn't miss a note.It is especially noteworthy that Ritter and Weaver and Neuwirth are known for comedic performances and I was never reminded of that during the film. If you have enjoyed any of Bill Murray's latest "smart" movies, you should watch this movie to see an entire cast pull off the same trick, with some of the credit undoubtedly due to the director.That's not to say this is a tragedy or a movie that takes itself too seriously - no symbolism, no dramatic cinematography. There are no surprise plot twists -- it's a genre movie, and there's plenty of room to smile when you sympathize with several of the actors at various points. We're caught up in the kind of performance that makes you hurt along with the characters even though the plot is one of the oldest there is.

Tadpole is a near-perfect examination of the male teenage crush. That young Oscar would choose Sigourney Weaver's charming but inaccessible stepmother over her best friend Bebe Neuwirth's irresistible mixture of free-spirited maturity and pure naughtiness nails his condition beautifully. Unconditional sex whenever he wants and he turns it down! The boy has it bad.The adorable Neuwirth steals the show from a very impressive cast (including the late John Ritter and Robert 'AJ Soprano' Iler). But nothing should be taken away from Stanford who shines in the lead role; by turns irritating and pretentious, vulnerable and confused, and angry and resentful – just like any other smart 15-year-old.Hollywood buffoonery of the American Pie variety will always find a bigger audience but anyone who's been one will know that this is what teenagers are really like. This is a refreshing indie that neither preaches nor outstays its welcome.

Films that have plot lines about 15 years old boys falling for 40 year old women who are married to the boys fathers sound like films that should be strictly avoid. Honestly. But what we have here is clever, thorough and downright hilarious.Oscar (surprise surprise) is 15 (though he is obviously much older) and is madly in love with his stepmother Eve (Sigourny Weaver), married (emphasis on that word) to his father. He knows it would be a terrible sin to seduce her, but is so in love it seems a perfect match. His feelings are so strong, they must be correct, surely? But unsurprisingly, he gets more than he bargained for when a night with Eve's best friend leads to confusion and shockingly funny hilarity...It is very hard to like the protagonist, who is socially inept and rude. But this film is clever, thoughtful and funny; shot on Camcorder, it is warm and definitely recommended.8 out of 10