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'Little Secrets' lives in its own contrived little world
Her mishap occurs so out of nowhere that it betrays the desperation by screenwriter Jessica Bardones to make something — anything — happen that might motivate sympathy and disclosures.
Her fall is the biggest problem in a picture set in an unspecified suburban community that somehow has its own symphony orchestra, one that is so competitive that Emily's tutor, Pauline (Vivica A. Fox), lost her job as third-chair violinist after five seasons.
The children in Emily's community have such high respect for her nurturing skills that they queue up weekly, like an old-fashioned Catholic confessional line, to pay 50 cents to confide her in their deepest secrets.
One chubby boy steals candy from a store even though his heavy-set mother is willing to buy it for him. Another child hides a piece of knickknack pottery he broke. Yet his parents are so swell. The naughtiest child sends naive come-hither e-mails to her older sister's pen pal.
Emily vows secrecy but keeps a dossier envelope on each child in a trunk.
Around the time the flawless Pauline tells her, "You can't keep secrets about yourself and lead a true life, Emily," the perfect Emily blurts out that she's — Oh no! — adopted.
The truth is preferable to secrets, the film emphasizes. But has anyone in this myopic town ever had a whiff of the dirty laundry aired on syndicated TV shows from "Jerry Springer" to "Judge Judy"? Is telling all always best?
But then, the adolescents and teenagers in "Little Secrets" aren't real. They're smartly clothed, immaculately scrubbed, privileged stick figures whose mirage-like problems are never so great they can't be erased with a hug.
Wholesomeness is one thing, vapidness another.
Director Blair Treu achieves a professional look without finding a moment of truth. Nothing feels natural, beginning with an ensemble of mostly child actors who are all too obviously acting and adults who are given a single face to wear.
The absence of objectionable elements in a family film is laudable but is not in itself a reason to invest 100 minutes that could be better spent with a good book or a classic movie.
| 'Little Secrets' |
Director: Blair Treu
Stars: Evan Rachel Wood, Michael Angarano, David Gallagher
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements
Where: Oaks, Oakmont
