From Deseret News archives:
Tadpole
Film review
And, for all the controversy the film has generated the plot has been misconstrued as incest by those who haven't seen the movie it is handled with a surprising amount of taste and restraint.
Still, the material, as well as the film's rather dark and quirky sense of humor, may turn off much of the potential audience, which is a pity since there's much that is worthwhile here, including the performance by newcomer Aaron Stanford as the title character.
Stanford stars as Oscar Grubman, a 16-year-old prep-school student who acts much older than his age (for one thing, he reads and actually comprehends Voltaire). So perhaps that explains his obsession with a much-older woman, heart-researcher Eve (Sigourney Weaver).
This material is obviously distasteful, but the wry script (by Heather McGowan and Niels Mueller) doesn't glamorize the subject, and at times it is surprisingly insightful. And despite all the post-release bickering between director Gary Winick and his cinematographer, Hubert Taczanowski the film shot was digitally to save money it doesn't look at all chintzy.
But the performances are the film's greatest strength, especially Stanford's crafty lead performance and a solid turn by Weaver. In support, Neuwirth puts in a bid to steal the film, though those honors may actually go to Peter Appel, in an all-too-brief bit as a sarcastic doorman.
"Tadpole" is rated PG-13 for occasional use of strong profanity and some crude sexual talk and humor, as well as brief sexual contact. Running time: 78 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com
Comments
Cast: Aaron Stanford, Sigourney Weaver, John Ritter, Bebe Neuwirth
Find a Movie Theater
- Plenty of H1N1 vaccine available 6:38 p.m.
- Obama orders 30,000-troop boost 6:37 p.m.
- 2 arrested in Roy double slaying 6:33 p.m.
- Working on new HIV/AIDS vaccine 6:32 p.m.
- BSA to host audiocast over Internet 5:47 p.m.
- Garbage trucks to trash teen drinking 5:47 p.m.
- Court seeks judicial candidates 5:29 p.m.
- Simple candies for the holidays 5:15 p.m.
- Latkes from frozen hash browns 5:14 p.m.
- Cakes taking a starring role 5:14 p.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- MWC '09 season in review
- Jazz win 6th in 7 games
- Jazz ready to be without Harpring
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
901 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
482 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
401 - Max Hall issues apology
387 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
343 - Utes won't respond to Hall
272 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
224 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
152 - BYU is champion of the state
142 - Religion in politics is tiresome
127
Max Hall is not the only BYU affiliate who has harsh feelings against Utah....
I thought his speech was dynamic and "transparent," but like Senator McCain...
The LDS church did not have a prior policy of reporting incest and child...
Yepper's, you betcha, (as Sarah Palin would say), the same DNA is running in...
I'm with you, Big Time BYU fan. Well said.
As a Republican, I fully agree with what President Obama has said. Declaring...
Jorgensen repremanded last week, Hall this week. Wonder who will be next...
I usually watch channel 5 but man all those commercials drive me crazy....
I thought Sylvester was an excellent linebacker the past two seasons. I...
Would it have been different if BYU had lost and Max had made such remarks?...




You can be the first to comment on this story.