User reviews

This is a great movie. I was laughing through the whole thing, not because it's a comedy, per se, but rather because I can relate to Gabe on so many levels. What I mean is, this film will resonate with any of you guys out there who've ever felt uneasy getting close to a girl, and with any girls who've ever known a guy to be that way. This is a real family film that is actually appropriate enough to be viewed by the whole family, and those can be hard to find these days. All of the actors did a great job, especially Josh Hutcherson (Gabe) and Charlie Ray (Rosemary). They did an amazing job. The story is interesting the whole way through - very entertaining, and I recommend this movie to you.

"Little Manhattan" is like a junior version of "Annie Hall" or a Manhattan take on "A Little Romance," which introduced Diane Lane in Paris.

It is a funny, delightful fable of boys and girls interacting with the opposite sex and working and divorcing parents that is a refreshing diversion from the jaundice of New York kids in "The Squid and the Whale." It is an original and marvelous conceit to try and get inside the head of a boy during that summer in the city when the scales are lifted on the perception of girls as givers of cooties to givers of complicated joy.

While married couple, and ex-New Yorkers, writer Jennifer Flackett and director Marc Levin formerly worked on "Wonder Years," and borrow several of those techniques, the bit too wise and nostalgic voice-over narration seems to be coming contemporaneously from the sympathetic Josh Hutcherson as almost 11 year old "Gabe." The object of his attention, Charlie Ray's very self-possessed "Rosemary," seems straight out of "Mad Hot Ballroom," which featured real life kids of the same age discussing similar issues as these kids do about the maturity levels of boys and girls. Such touches as the diverse karate class (the sitcom Ashton Kutscher comparison to the orange belt interloper is very funny) to schoolyard bully keep the film grounded in a kid's experiences, though the visual references to "The Graduate" and "Rebel Without A Cause" are a bit precious even for know-it-all kids.

The affectionate sense of a neighborhood being a kid's whole world is captured literally and through animated graphics diagramming the Upper West Side. This is not much changed from the neighborhood of another Natalie Wood film, her little girl in "Miracle on 34th Street," just with a bit more racial diversity. It's very natural that these folks bump into people they know while shopping at the Fairway specialty supermarket, and there's nice costume touches of worn, local T-shirts from Fordham Law and the American Museum of Natural History. I'm not sure non-New Yorkers will appreciate how Broadway can divide their perceptions such that kids can describe themselves as being Riverside Park kind of people vs. Central Park, but the production design well establishes the comparisons with a hyper-scheduled family, "they must be really committed to public education," who live in a duplex overlooking the latter park with a full-time nanny and treat their daughter to a classic New York experience of a performance at the Cafe Carlyle. (I remember my sons coming home with accounts of similar descriptions of classmate's apartments in comparison with our crowded digs.)

There's lots of "Ally McBeal"-type fantasy/over-active imagination elements, from funny uses of the very NYC streetscape like concert posters and theater marquees, so I had to chalk a bit up to similar fantasy that even sophisticated, "New Yorker"-reading, West End Avenue parents distracted by divorce, at least not as much as the oblivious mother in "E.T.", would let a fifth grader have the run of nine square blocks on his razor scooter (I didn't let my kids going to school in Manhattan loose until into 7th grade). It is shown realistically, and very amusingly, how lost they get on their first, unauthorized trip to the wilds of Christopher Street in Greenwich Village (even his dad feels that's way too far away to live), which recalls another madcap young 'uns in Manhattan George Roy Hill film "The World of Henry Orient." At least the caregivers are appropriately distraught when the kids seek too much freedom.

The musical selections are marvelous throughout, including originals, apt covers and cheerful new songs that capture being young and in love and confused in New York.

Bradley Whitford does parenting more warmly here than he did in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," maybe because he's relating to a boy. Cynthia Nixon is a believable mom with no stereotyped ticks.

We've come a long way in New York City since those same benches on the Broadway malls were shown so frighteningly in "The Panic in Needle Park." With the great bulk of Hollywood movies about kids of this age taking place in seemingly anonymous suburbs or bucolic exurbs where everyone lives in McMansions with SUVs, and indie films focusing on dysfunctional or otherwise deprived families, it is a pleasure to see such a sweet film about normal,yeah, middle class, city kids.

But you don't have to have been a city kid to remember that first crush and this charming film will bring all those euphoric feelings and embarrassing memories rushing back to adult viewers. Reminds me that I owe a certain Eddie L. an apology. . .

In Manhattan, the 10 ¾ years old Gabe (Josh Hutcherson) finds his first love when he meets his former kindergarten mate, the eleven years old Rosemary (Charlie Ray), in his karate classes. Confused with his new feelings and with the divorce process of his beloved parents, Leslie (Cynthia Nixon) and Adam (Bradley Whitford), he experiences the delightful unknown sensation of being in love for the first time.

When my friends from the best rental in Rio de Janeiro recommended this movie, I was quite reluctant to buy it. Fortunately I listened to their advice and saw this great little gem. The sensitive director Mark Levin has captured many adorable scenes and sequence of this lovely and charming central pair in delightful situations. Further, orphans of "Sex & the City" like me have the chance to see Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) and Willie Garson (Stanford Blatch) again. I would like to thank you, Cris and my dearest friends of Imaginario, for your recommendation. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O ABC do Amor" ("The ABC of Love")

I watched this film on recommendation from a good friend whose opinion I trust, and let me tell you I was not disappointed. I think I would pity anyone who watches this film, and cannot find a way to relate to its subject matter. Most of the humor (and one of the things that make this movie so good) is that t is based on the assumption that the viewer relates to the events on screen. I can remember times in my life where I had the same feelings as Gabe and the same fears about acting on them.

The performances by the two young stars are very good, while neither of these children may have the talent of Haley Joel Osment or Dakota Fanning (although many recent Academy Award winners do not have the acting chops of Miss Fanning). None the less these kids do a wonderful job; they give performances both humorous and nuanced. These are two truly likable you actors and I look forward to seeing them in future endeavors.

This film does not break any new ground in telling a love story, but where it is innovative is in approaching the subject both from the perspective of children, and more specifically, focusing on this from specifically the boys point of view. Perhaps this made it resonate more with me, being a man who can vividly remember what it was like to first begin to experience the feelings that Gabe begins to experience in this film. However this is a film for all, and is more than acceptable for young and old. I am not certain if children too young to relate to the subject matter would have a full appreciation of the film, however the physical comedy and less subtle humor will certainly still play well with a young audience.

It is a shame that this film did not have a more successful initial run, I have yet to personally come across anyone who saw this film and did not love it as I do. I hope that people will find this movie at their local video store and give it a chance, as it is easily the best romantic comedy of the last year.

It's about time! I've been tired of the usual romantic comedies -- guy in high-school/college/work falls in love with beautiful girl -- the courting.. the romanticism (i mean physical stuff! a lot of it!).. breakup.. rejoining.. happy ever after.

The usual formula.. it's followed since the start of time and it will remain there until the nukes destroy this world. BUT this movie had something different to offer.. of course there's a guy and definitely there's a girl.. and yES! he falls in love! that's obvious.. wouldn't be a romantic comedy without that..

One thing that is definitely different in this case is that the boy is a 10 yr old and the girl.. um.. 11 yrs..

So.. yeah.. a brilliant concept.. looking at love from the perspective of a kid. Something we saw before in The Wonder Years of course.. but much more. It gives you a very personal look at New York and Manhattan. The emotions and the feelings evoked by the whole affair in the situation is realistic and very funny.

Overall a feel good movie with a different twist on the physical side of love.. Please watch it! I'm sure you'll love every second!

Remembering my own youth, growing up and discovering girls for the first time, I was able to relive some of those moments, some funny, some agonizing, all right on.

Josh Hutcheson and Charlie Ray both did an outstanding job portraying the (sometimes) pain of growing up -- the sweaty palms, the horror of not knowing what to say, or saying it and being afraid of sounding so stupid. Oh, the lost opportunities! At least, I never got cooties.

What a great performance by Miss Ray in her screen debut. She can do more with a smile and a raised eyebrow than most actresses can do with a thousand pages of script. Hope she keeps brightening up the world.

This film was recommended to me by a conservative organization that promotes traditional family values and decency. It is worth a look.

Little Manhattan was a fun ride from beginning to end.

I took my wife and daughters who are 13 and 11 years old and everyone had a good time. I really lost my self in this story. It was good natured without being corny.

This is the first time I saw a movie that makes me want to visit New York.

With all of the mean spirited movies out today this reminds of how nice it is to enjoy a good story. I would like to see more of this kind of writing in every movie.

I plan to buy the DVD for my 11 year old when it becomes available.

I want to shine the spotlight on a nice, little movie that might slip under your radar, and it shouldn't. LITTLE MANHATTAN is about a young boy in NYC, named Gabe, and his first crush on a girl, ever. Quite an awkward transition, considering girls have cooties, and are gross horrible creatures to a boy of ten. Our hero though is growing up. Presently Gabe is 10 ¾ years old and the girl of his affection, is 11 year old Rosemary, who is quite a match in the karate class they both attend. Quite suddenly this strange change occurs and there Rosemary is. The same girl he had grown up with in school, and went to kindergarten with, but now it is different. He actually notices her. Where did this nervousness come from that springs up every time he is in her presence? What does it mean? It does not help matters any that his parent's are in the middle of a prolonged divorce, where they have to cohabitate the same apartment until the paperwork goes through. Oh, the insecurity! This thing called "love" is sure accompanied by a fair share of highs and lows. We were all there (or will be), what an age. I certainly am glad that you only have to go through that part of growing up, only once. The film captures the age & subject matter perfectly. All the questions, inner dialogue, and those puzzling things we notice about the opposite sex (and continue to notice as we grow up, I might add). That treacherous area we tread between youth and adolescence, fraught with a childlike confusion at this new territory. The two young actors playing Gabe and Rosemary hit the right chords. The filmmakers capture their viewpoint wonderfully, splashing it onto the screen. It is a great joy to watch this awkward stage played out so well, on film, in this love story for all ages. Don't let this one slip away. Rated PG.

LITTLE MANHATTAN is a surprisingly clever and adult romantic comedy, with a clever screenplay in the tradition of some of Woody Allen's best work, except that the protagonists are children. Josh Hutcherson plays Gabe, a 10-year old New Yorker who falls head over heels in love with Rosemary (Charlie Ray), an 11-year old girl in his karate class. The romantic ups and downs between these two are delightfully chronicled here, thanks to a winning screenplay accentuated by Gabe's off-screen narration, which ranks with some of Woody Allen's best narrations. Huctherson and Ray are completely convincing in their roles and you can't help but cheer for them throughout. Cynthia Nixon and Bradley Whitford co-star as Gabe's parents, who are separated, but still residing in the same apartment. A winning adult romantic comedy with children as the leads. Give this one a look, it might surprise you.

This is one of the cutest movies I've ever seen in my life! The movie is light-hearted and incredibly sweet. It tells the story of an adorable 10-year-old boy named Gabe whose parents are divorcing, but under New York law they must remain living together until the divorce is final. (This creates a small problem, as you can probably imagine.) Gabe becomes infatuated with Rosemary, a girl in his karate class he knew as a kindergärtner. They begin to practice karate together and Gabe's like for her blooms into love. I won't spoil anything but Josh Hutcherson is SO sweet narrating the movie, which melted my heart. Charlie Ray is one of the prettiest little girls I've ever seen! It's one of my all-time favorites and a great movie to see as a family. Let me tell you now that the presence of New York City (of which I was born and raised) is the backbone of the movie, having many beautiful scenes along the river and in Central Park. That's almost as good as Gabe's imaginations of karate gurus- you'll have to see it to know what I mean!

It will come as no surprise that first-time feature filmmaker Mark Levin was a producer and writer of the beloved early-1990's TV series, "The Wonder Years". The same sort of observational humor and cheeky voice-over narration is present in this small, relatively unremarkable 2005 film about the pangs of first love for a bright, sports-challenged ten-year old named Gabe, who lives in the Upper West Side with his parents, who are going through a slow-moving divorce. In the midst of his somewhat dysfunctional existence, Gabe's object of desire is Rosemary, a girl he has known since kindergarten but who suddenly becomes attractive as they partner in a karate class.

The problem is that the script by Jennifer Flackett (Levin's wife) makes Gabe sound far more like an adult sitcom character than a yearning pre-adolescent, and the resulting contrivance deters the credibility of the storyline. The demi-budding romance between Gabe and Rosemary has moments of charm, especially as they travel into the forbidden territory of the West Village to find his father an apartment. Predictable elements lead the story to its inevitable ending, but it's all good-natured and almost too facile for the lack of resulting drama.

The cast is serviceable. Josh Hutcherson lends a precocious intelligence to Gabe, and Charlie Ray makes Gabe's obsession understandable as Rosemary. Cynthia Nixon (Miranda on "Sex in the City") and Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman on "The West Wing") lend unobtrusive support with their scant screen time as Gabe's parents. I frankly never heard of this movie before catching it on a United flight in November, but the 84 minutes sputter by relatively quickly with Tim Orr's crisp cinematography capturing a Manhattan that I thought existed only in Nora Ephron movies. The film also provides a nice excuse to resuscitate the 1970 Edison Lighthouse chestnut, "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)".

It's simple, it's cute, it's unpretentious, and it's pretty much blood-free. It tells a sweet story about innocence and romance which is applicable to all of us despite using 11 year-old kids (Josh Hutcherson, a "veteran" and Charlie Rose, a newcomer) as its main players...This film will remind many of you of "The Wonder Years", which of course isn't a bad thing (Wouldn't you say that was GREAT television??). There is a nice parallel in the story in that while the main character is falling in love, his own parents are falling out of it and headed for the splits.

Mark Levin (Wimbledon, and yes...The Wonder Years) turns in another solid effort and shows he is anything but complacent - He gets great work out of his actors and the cinematography makes Manhattan a sparkling place for all. The story is key in a film with no action, violence, or thrills and thankfully, the story here strikes a chord with just about everyone! See it now before it becomes a XMAS blockbuster!

If you live in the City, and you like romantic comedies, this is for you. Sure its simple minded, predictable, and a bit schmoltzy, but it is really great.

First, you get a full and accurate tour of the City: Central Park, Upper West Side, the Village, its all in there, with proper continuity in the story (i.e. characters don't hyperspace around town to make the shots work).

Second, you get a great "first love" story. The lead character "Gabe" provides an amazing narrative of his experience with "Rosemary". It has the exploratory vantage point of youth coupled with the insightful perspective of adulthood.

And did I mention that you get Full Frontal New York City? Yeah, the City that is a city is basically an excellent supporting character in the movie, gently providing background and balance to the story.

Again, it won't be winning any awards anytime soon, but it will put a smile on your face.

I figured since there were no quotes added, that i'd give some from the movie..

1. There comes a moment in everyones life when everything changes and life is never the same again.

2. Love is not about ridiculous little words, it's about grand gestures.

3. How come all love has to end?

4. Remember the feeling, remember the wonder, remember your first love.

5. It only lasted two weeks, but when you're 11 years old it could be a lifetime.

6. Nothing is as big as your first love.

i fell in love again and actually called up my first love. even though i was dragged to the movie by my date, i enjoyed more than she did and we both loved it! i hope this does well it was great i really like it i want to meet the makers, the camera work was awesome, everyone should see it the actors were amazing, new york is so romantic, i could relate to the boy, i love scooters, i love karate i love everything to do with this movie! i went to see this movie twice because i want it to open nationwide. if you like good films see this one! i am a very tough movie critic and i almost never like movies as much as this one. its all very true to life and its seen through the eyes of a boy that i think most guys can relate to...i can't believe that i'm ranting and raving about this but i feel obliged. well i have to fill up the rest of the space but i just wanted to let everyone know how i felt. if you like Manhattan you will like this love story about Manhattan and the pains and the great moments in this love letter to Manhattan. PS all the acting was great

Forget cheap adolescent soaps and tacky Disney flicks, 'Little Manhattan' has to be one of the most realistic and touching portrayals of young love. The film centres on ten-year-old Gabe, a New York boy whose life revolves around friends, sport and playing referee to his estranged parents. That is, until, he starts karate class with schoolmate Rosemary. Gabe has known Rosemary since kindergarten but this is the first time he starts to see girls as creatures to be admired and he find himself launched into his first crush. Suddenly, he is nervous talking to her and cares about his appearance, leaving the poor boy wondering just what love is doing to him...

The two child leads were amazing in their roles. Josh Hutcherson, who played Gabe, wasn't afraid of depicting his character's awkwardness and embarrassment. As such, the audience found it easy to find Gabe a likable child who we could identify with. Equally deserving of praise was Charlie Ray, in her debut role as Rosemary. She was excellent in portraying Rosemary's more self-assured nature (as pointed out in the film, girls do mature faster than boys) without comprising the fact she could be just as naive as Gabe. It's a shame Charlie hasn't been involved in more acting projects since she showed Dakota Fanning isn't the only female child actor out there with talent. The adult cast, understandably, had to play second fiddle to the children but Bradley Whitford and Cynthia Nixon both delivered solid performances as Gabe's parents who were willing to put their personal squabbles to the side to support their little boy on his journey to adulthood.

This film stands unique because it's one of the few to properly delve into a child's first crush since it seems, these days, film producers think only air-headed teenagers and incompetent adults (who act like air-headed teenagers) can fall in love. 'Little Manhattan' is a nice exploration of love, both his own crush and his contemplation of his parents' relationship, from the perspective of a pre-adolescent boy. It also stands as a coming-of-age story where we see young Gabe take his first steps away from innocent childhood joys towards the uncertainty of puberty and the adult world beyond. Light humour, particularly during Gabe's voice-over thoughts, provide enough laughs to create an overall enchanting film. It's also worth seeing 'Little Manhattan' for the New York backdrop. To non-New Yorkers like myself, whose only insight into the city are the dark, depressing shots we see in dramas like 'Law and Order' and 'CSI', it is a charming reminder that there is more to New York than murders and cops.

'Little Manhattan' is a film that I highly recommend, especially to those who enjoyed coming-of-age films like 'My Girl', 'Stand By Me' and 'Jack the Bear'. Youngsters will probably enjoy it because of the solid character development and the fact it shows ten-year-olds can and do experience romance. It offers a sweeter look at highs and lows of young love (away from newspaper headlines of twelve-year-olds who are pregnant) without being patronising, overly-sentimental or bland. Other scriptwriters could take some lessons from this film so they won't continue to lump yet another stereotypical, dull teeny-booper romance flick upon us.

A sweet charming story about a 10 year old finding his first love in New York city. The movie is funny, adorable, tart romantic comedy showing what falling in love for the first time is. Characters are fine and actors have done a good job. The movie however rides on the crisp story, funny plot and simple but nice direction. Its an adorable and sweet (but yet not too sweet movie. Music does a good job to keep up with the changes in the mood of the characters; and good that it does not overdoes it. The movie is recommended for anyone who likes romantic comedies. It is definitely going to leave the sweetness of first love with you.

I have seen this movie twice, probably the third romantic movie that compelled me to do that, and the reasons are quite simple: It's probably impossible that anyone can't relate to young Josh Hutcherson character, a 11 year's old with a normal middle class life and problems (parents initiating divorce); that it's surprise by the re discovery of a young classmate (Charly Ray's character) initially as an unexpected friend an later as something else...

The well crafted work of director Mark Levin is based on the mutual discovery of all these feelings (mostly new and uncontrolled)that evolved in Josh character and in another particular viewer: you.

Very few movies accomplished the sensation of being part of the life, joy and suffering of a film character, and believe me, that feeling won't disappoint you.

Another plus is the way NYC is portrayed, as the big and marvelous city that is your playground as a child, impossible not to relate to my own ''Big'' Buenos Aires. You will fell in love with it too.

Good acting, great development of characters; but you can summarize this way : you will be surprised with the strange sensation that someone has take a peek into your memories and heart and put it on screen.

Don't be fooled by the apparent cuteness of two 11 year olds falling in love! The bad acting makes this one hard to watch. Confusing reactions to poorly delivered lines made me cringe like I was listening to nails on a chalk board. Most of the time it seemed like the kids had no idea why they were saying what they were saying so there was no variation in the tone of their interaction or the movie in general. The little boy was the worst and the little girl seems to have been told one too many times in her life that she's a good actress. Gosh, this movie was so hard and frustrating to watch! I suppose I could be nicer since these are just children but then this wouldn't be an honest review now would it?

I really liked it because it describes thru the eyes of a 10 years old boy how love feels and especially how first love feels which is one only time in life.

Amazingly done, I could catch every single aspect of it and most of the time find analogue things to compare to my experiences which make me laugh a bit as no matter the country or the race those feelings are all the same.

Finally I really liked also the good comedy in it as it is a all laugh movie that cheers you up and makes you laugh a bit in a nice way. Movie evolves nicely and it isn't boring and the two kid's performance is pretty amazing especially the main actor who did a really excellent acting job! Congrats!

A nice movie to watch not only for kids, actually I would say that adults are more welcomed than kids in this, adults and teens, 'cause most/some kids don't quite encounter first love until they get to middle school.