I was always greatly impressed with this film, mostly by its effectively gritty, city streets style which is very well executed and helps convey the overall tone of the story. It's well shot and edited, very compact and extremely well put together, in terms of both the crafting of the plot, and in economy of the direction of the acting, which is honest and riveting. And considering that it's the first movie for several members of the cast, the acting is really good, the characters are believable and it helps to give the story a very true to life feel. This can be a tough movie to watch and it claws at the heart in many ways. It's got rough elements, but that really suits the rough aspect of the story and the kind of life that the kids are going through and they're sympathetic, but the movie doesn't excuse any of their bad behaviour. It's realistic and it's not sanitised, nor overdone. It has a very brooding and sombre atmosphere that grows more grim and intense as it builds up to the unbelievable ending. Apparently the reason this drama has never been distributed on DVD or VHS is because of copyright issues with the soundtrack, which is a damn shame, as this is absolutely one of the very greatest television movies ever made..Period! ::: Brendan Fletcher was simply phenomenal in his debut role. I'm a big fan of his because of his performance in this, and it's always been great to see him in all kinds of stuff as he's gotten older. It may not seem so at first, but it's entirely his character's movie and not the late Miles Ferguson's. Unlike "Cory", who's only really half-heartedly acting out and has a supportive family to fall back on, "Des" is the one that truly needs saving. And that's what makes the character's journey and ultimate fate all the more tragic, because you get that although this no-good punk kid is doing some pretty terrible things and is very damaged, beneath all the aggression and attitude he's still just a hurting little kid who still has a heart and hasn't yet completely lost his innocence, and one who is at a very delicate point where he could potentially go either way depending on the circumstances. That just a tiny bit of love and dedication from just the right kind of person might yet break through and turn him around, or it may all go horribly wrong and his young life could spiral into destruction, and that's exactly what he does... And it all comes to a satisfying, if startlingly morbid and devastating conclusion as Des finally snaps completely and is apparently past the point of no return after shooting the lowlife drug-pusher and then even threatening his only remaining friend. And then, perhaps out of the realisation that he's utterly alone and the belief that he has nowhere left to go and nothing to live for, as well as fear of an impending life of imprisonment when he turns twelve, returns to his dilapidated house, sets it on fire with himself his mother and some boyfriend of hers inside, and then goes to sleep in his little closet hideaway as it all burns down around him. Brutal. High drama doesn't come any more heartwrenching. And the powerful visuals and music of the way in which the distressing scene is done serves to create one of the saddest film moments ever made. It totally made me cry the first time I ever saw it.. The very idea that somebody so young could be so lost that they'd choose to destroy themselves is unthinkable, but it happens. I personally don't think he was failed by society, they tried to do a lot for him and his mother, while being woefully inept irresponsible and neglectful, was at least smart enough to eventually realise that the best and perhaps only thing she could do for him was to give him to somebody else... I'm sorry that he died and everything, and it was a good performance, but I couldn't stand Ferguson's character, he was such a self-centred dumb brat. I'm aware that when you're that age you are want to think only of yourself and that the world revolves around you, but he had a dysfunctional somewhat struggling family, a frazzled mother with a new baby, and a step-dad who seemed like a genuinely decent guy who only wanted to be his friend, but he just thought about him own needs - gah, kids today! I suppose his character does have development in that he finally figures out that Des is too dangerous to hang out with, and he does trust his step-dad enough to ask for his help, so at least that's something hopeful. Mimi Kuzak was also wonderful in her small role as the caring social worker who begins to gain Des' trust before their time together is cut short at the most critical time possible. I find her strongest moment to be after she's just told Des that his evaluation is over and he has to move on, and he pitifully asks her what it was he did wrong, and the way she tries to convince him that he's done nothing, it's like a part of her knows that something awful may eventually happen. And the haunting final image must be set after the event, it's her searching through all of the interview tapes, trying in vain to find some reason why... And it turns out that the only token of something positive was how Des wanted to help Cory's little sister find her monkey toy. "I don't remember..." A brilliant, but very harsh and painful film that I swear is immeasurably worthy of anyone's time. Thank you, that's it.
Review of Little Criminals
