24 reviews
'Little Criminals' has to be one of the most depressing films I've ever seen; more so when I consider that, in reality, there must be thousands of children out there condemned to lives of crime and misery as a result of their home situations.
The film revolves primarily around two eleven-year-olds boys named Cory and Des whose extra-curricular activities involve robbery, violence, vandalism, smoking and drugs. On the whole, Cory is a decent child who is just acts out because he feels displaced his step-father and half-siblings. He is sucked into the world of juvenile crime in the hopes of feeling 'cool' but realises the full ramifications of his actions when things go too far and, luckily, he has a family to protect him. Des is another story. It would be too easy to hate him from the onset because he behaves like a vile little monster but only through watching the film do we see a different side to him. He's a neglected, miserable child who has never had one happy moment in his short life. And, deep down, there is a part of him that is still very childlike and desperate for someone to reach out and redeem him. He's a boy who could have lead a well-adjusted, productive life had he been raised by loving parents who actually cared about, guided and disciplined their son.
The quality of the child actors was just excellent. Myles Ferguson, who tragically died just five years after appearing in this film, was able to portray Cory's descent into crime in a way that makes the audience identify how easily a child can be led astray. But it is Brendan Fletcher who steals the show. He depicts Des' hard edge and dark emotions while retaining a sense of vulnerability and childish desperation in the character. He leaves you feeling a conflict between condemning Des as irredeemable and wanting to help this child climb to a better future.
There is no happy ending in this film but it does leave you pondering many thoughts long after the credits have gone by. Perhaps if Canada had a lower age of criminal responsibility, Des and his friends could have been arrested earlier and given the therapy they needed. While I do believe some child criminals deserve to be locked up for a good few decades because they have gone just too far for justice to take second place to rehabilitation (the two ten-year-old British boys who tortured, abused and murdered two-year-old James Bulger fall into this category), reflecting on Des' situation leaves me realising that juvenile detention is not the best solution for all children who commit crimes. Some can be saved if intervention is given early enough.
It's just sad that even in the twenty-first century many of those children who can be save fall still through the cracks of and go on to meet the fate of becoming adult criminals or, worse, premature death.
The film revolves primarily around two eleven-year-olds boys named Cory and Des whose extra-curricular activities involve robbery, violence, vandalism, smoking and drugs. On the whole, Cory is a decent child who is just acts out because he feels displaced his step-father and half-siblings. He is sucked into the world of juvenile crime in the hopes of feeling 'cool' but realises the full ramifications of his actions when things go too far and, luckily, he has a family to protect him. Des is another story. It would be too easy to hate him from the onset because he behaves like a vile little monster but only through watching the film do we see a different side to him. He's a neglected, miserable child who has never had one happy moment in his short life. And, deep down, there is a part of him that is still very childlike and desperate for someone to reach out and redeem him. He's a boy who could have lead a well-adjusted, productive life had he been raised by loving parents who actually cared about, guided and disciplined their son.
The quality of the child actors was just excellent. Myles Ferguson, who tragically died just five years after appearing in this film, was able to portray Cory's descent into crime in a way that makes the audience identify how easily a child can be led astray. But it is Brendan Fletcher who steals the show. He depicts Des' hard edge and dark emotions while retaining a sense of vulnerability and childish desperation in the character. He leaves you feeling a conflict between condemning Des as irredeemable and wanting to help this child climb to a better future.
There is no happy ending in this film but it does leave you pondering many thoughts long after the credits have gone by. Perhaps if Canada had a lower age of criminal responsibility, Des and his friends could have been arrested earlier and given the therapy they needed. While I do believe some child criminals deserve to be locked up for a good few decades because they have gone just too far for justice to take second place to rehabilitation (the two ten-year-old British boys who tortured, abused and murdered two-year-old James Bulger fall into this category), reflecting on Des' situation leaves me realising that juvenile detention is not the best solution for all children who commit crimes. Some can be saved if intervention is given early enough.
It's just sad that even in the twenty-first century many of those children who can be save fall still through the cracks of and go on to meet the fate of becoming adult criminals or, worse, premature death.
- cosmic_quest
- Dec 29, 2005
- Permalink
Like many others I suspect, I was flipping channels when I caught 'Little Criminals' just a few minutes into it. I am not one to be mesmerised by idle amusements. If I am to be moved, I need to be unwittingly skewered by the art in question. And I don't hesitate to call this art. At the centre of the remarkable heft of this movie is the thing that initially grabbed me by my slacks from the start: the weight of the central child's performance. It's an astounding one. Fifteen seconds of it prevented me from absent mindedly flipping on. It's one of the most memorable performances I have ever seen, and the fact that it is a child delivering it soon leaves one's awareness as can only happen when watching the most truthful of actors.
It's the story of a child being raised in a rough neighbourhood without anyone to turn to for support or solidity, least of all his own mother. Initially the fact that such a menacing figure can come in the shape of an eleven year old catches off guard, but the performance is way more than the immature posturings of a brattish child actor. This one has real depth. As you delve deeper into his circumstances, you watch a broad palette paint a character with real pathos. His gang of lawless friends simply facilitate his escape from the inner demons he attempts to elude, but which he returns to as we all must, both within his soul and symbolically drawn on the wall of his little ritualistically kept hide-away. And as his life begins to spiral ever downwards, one attempts to blame many groups for such tragedy, parents, teachers, social services - but in the end, one knows that sometimes this is just the way life goes, that there are always those who get lost between the cracks.
The supporting cast do the main performance of the 'Des' character justice too, and there's an uncredited cameo by a pre-hype Sandra O which leaves me feeling that of all the low budget flicks struggling actors are forced to remember with irritation, for Sandra this is not one of them. It's sensitively directed and the soundtrack is an edgy alternative lineup with Portishead and Radiohead among others, echoing the troubled vibrations of the lost souls it accompanies.
See this film, it's like a beautiful album song that those who don't look very hard miss, and those who find add to their artistic shrine to themselves.
It's the story of a child being raised in a rough neighbourhood without anyone to turn to for support or solidity, least of all his own mother. Initially the fact that such a menacing figure can come in the shape of an eleven year old catches off guard, but the performance is way more than the immature posturings of a brattish child actor. This one has real depth. As you delve deeper into his circumstances, you watch a broad palette paint a character with real pathos. His gang of lawless friends simply facilitate his escape from the inner demons he attempts to elude, but which he returns to as we all must, both within his soul and symbolically drawn on the wall of his little ritualistically kept hide-away. And as his life begins to spiral ever downwards, one attempts to blame many groups for such tragedy, parents, teachers, social services - but in the end, one knows that sometimes this is just the way life goes, that there are always those who get lost between the cracks.
The supporting cast do the main performance of the 'Des' character justice too, and there's an uncredited cameo by a pre-hype Sandra O which leaves me feeling that of all the low budget flicks struggling actors are forced to remember with irritation, for Sandra this is not one of them. It's sensitively directed and the soundtrack is an edgy alternative lineup with Portishead and Radiohead among others, echoing the troubled vibrations of the lost souls it accompanies.
See this film, it's like a beautiful album song that those who don't look very hard miss, and those who find add to their artistic shrine to themselves.
- alexcampion
- May 9, 2006
- Permalink
This movie came out a while ago, and I'm pretty sure it was made by the CBC. I only saw pieces of it then, but the images stuck in my memory for years until I saw it again on Showcase.
Really gritty movie that I'm glad has received an audience outside of just Canada. The kid's performance is mesmerizing and I enjoyed how a sympathetic angle was available, but not pushed. The ending to me was sad, despite how terrible the boy was, and is one of the images that sticks in my mind the most.
Anyone who feels that the younger generation is going to ruin the future, don't watch this film!! Like the "Thirteen," or "Kids," it's disturbing to watch people so young result to such drastic measures in life to feel accepted.
Really gritty movie that I'm glad has received an audience outside of just Canada. The kid's performance is mesmerizing and I enjoyed how a sympathetic angle was available, but not pushed. The ending to me was sad, despite how terrible the boy was, and is one of the images that sticks in my mind the most.
Anyone who feels that the younger generation is going to ruin the future, don't watch this film!! Like the "Thirteen," or "Kids," it's disturbing to watch people so young result to such drastic measures in life to feel accepted.
This is a superbly directed and exceptionally well acted film. Though the subject matter is dark, it is tense, emotionally affecting and thought provoking. Child crime has never been dealt with in such a realistic manner outside of moralistic documentaries. This is an unblinking depiction of two boys denied what we might consider any vestige of childhood
I've tried to get hold of this film for some time now, but it seems impossible. A shame really..anyway: I would like to comment on this film simply because I have the opportunity to tell the world how I felt during the credits: Great !!! If you think that KIDS is a really good movie, try to get hold of this one, it's even better !! --P.S. I particularly like the drawings in the closet, they're excellent....
One of the most memorable film experiences I have ever witnessed. Myles Ferguson makes a promising debut.
The real star though, is eleven year old Brendan Fletcher who gives an unbelievable performance for one so young. I have worked with children like Des, and I cannot believe how accurately Fletcher portrays Des.
This one surely deserves a far wider audience and a global DVD release.
The real star though, is eleven year old Brendan Fletcher who gives an unbelievable performance for one so young. I have worked with children like Des, and I cannot believe how accurately Fletcher portrays Des.
This one surely deserves a far wider audience and a global DVD release.
I watched this movie years ago on channel four and it is still stuck in my brain. I'd love to see it again to see if it is as good as my memory tells me, I had it on tape and accidentally taped over it - I was gutted! I loved this film because it didn't shy away from it's theme and the actors were brilliant, especially Des. I loved the way that children were actually treated as interesting and detailed characters rather than sickly sweet cherubs. And lets not forget the kick ass soundtrack, it really helped to create the intense atmosphere. I remember being shocked, enthralled, disgusted, sad, excited, amazed, fascinated... This film had all the right ingredients to make it stand out in my mind both when I first watched it and still now.
One evening, late Autumn 96 I sat back and causally channel surfed, I ended up on channel 4 (UK) where I was about to witness one of the best films of all time.
From our first introduction to Des, perfectly framed through the windshield shadowed by the angry tones for Violet I knew that this film was going to be something different from the usual TV movies.
The concept of someone hitting the downward spiral is oft covered by small and big budget alike, but to convey it from the eyes of a child, however dangerous on the outside, a sensitive messed up inner beauty is portrayed, a victim of his surroundings without the adult understanding to make sense of it all. Suddenly you realise that this kid who seems to be popular, connected and tough is far from it and is merely fitting the mould society has carved for him and when the pillars of his self, the shreds of normality that his world clings to are torn away he realises that the voices were right, he is alone, he is not special, and his time has run out.
We have see a roller coaster of emotions, with him reverting from adult to child but in the final scene, as the flames lick around him, distorting his treasured drawings, burning his forgotten sanctuary: we realise that there could be no other ending for him, or for the film - the trip hop pining of Portishead Roads that has haunted us throughout the film, reaches crescendo to add the final brevity.
The raw quality of this film and the depth of message is usually out of reach in a TV movie, but not his gem.
Watch it, remember it.
From our first introduction to Des, perfectly framed through the windshield shadowed by the angry tones for Violet I knew that this film was going to be something different from the usual TV movies.
The concept of someone hitting the downward spiral is oft covered by small and big budget alike, but to convey it from the eyes of a child, however dangerous on the outside, a sensitive messed up inner beauty is portrayed, a victim of his surroundings without the adult understanding to make sense of it all. Suddenly you realise that this kid who seems to be popular, connected and tough is far from it and is merely fitting the mould society has carved for him and when the pillars of his self, the shreds of normality that his world clings to are torn away he realises that the voices were right, he is alone, he is not special, and his time has run out.
We have see a roller coaster of emotions, with him reverting from adult to child but in the final scene, as the flames lick around him, distorting his treasured drawings, burning his forgotten sanctuary: we realise that there could be no other ending for him, or for the film - the trip hop pining of Portishead Roads that has haunted us throughout the film, reaches crescendo to add the final brevity.
The raw quality of this film and the depth of message is usually out of reach in a TV movie, but not his gem.
Watch it, remember it.
- markuskj007
- Sep 3, 2002
- Permalink
This film considers people, most especially children, living at or beyond the margins of society. It is a worthy companion to Bunuel's "Los Olvidados". The central character, Des, is an 11 year old boy, the leader of a group of delinquents. From the outset, he is loathsome and (seemingly) without any redeeming value. The viewer's reaction to this character is disturbing; how can you hate an 11 year old. The story follows Des through one vicious episode after another. Slowly, ever so subtly, the little boy inside the monster is revealed, and circumstances which have created the monster examined.
The young man who plays Des is brilliant. It is impossible to look away from him, however horrific or painful his behavior. The supporting performances are also fine, especially the step father and social worker characters.
The screenplay is masterful; there is a rythm of explosive violence and anger mixed with small subtle hints of humanity that ultimately leaves the viewer moved in different, conflicting directions simultaneously. Ultimately, no pat answers are provided.
This is a disturbing movie. It should be seen.
The young man who plays Des is brilliant. It is impossible to look away from him, however horrific or painful his behavior. The supporting performances are also fine, especially the step father and social worker characters.
The screenplay is masterful; there is a rythm of explosive violence and anger mixed with small subtle hints of humanity that ultimately leaves the viewer moved in different, conflicting directions simultaneously. Ultimately, no pat answers are provided.
This is a disturbing movie. It should be seen.
- Pizzaowner
- Jul 30, 2020
- Permalink
Rarely do I find a film so moving!
This film had me in tears towards the end and I have had a life that began a bit like Des's so social dramas' etc don't really affect me as though it might some people who have lived privileged or comfortable lives because i analyse but don't often become emotional through watching a film like i did with this excellent creation from Stephen Surjik and its' writer Dennis Foon and i will be trying to contact them to tell them myself (Never felt like doing that before!).
I live in the UK and so my childhood didn't involve firearms, well not until I was 17 because they are quite rightly a lot harder to come by than in Canada, even then I discarded the pistol I brought after threatening somebody for running over a dog and would never own one again, I am now 39.
This film had so many other parallels though that it was almost traumatic to watch and see how it mirrored myself, it was definitely painful at times as my stomach felt like somebody had just kicked me in it. Because of that I would have to say that it is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen, period.
The ending is tragic because of the way he isolated his self from the only person he felt he could trust will leave many who can identify with the film, numb. It did me.
The character as myself was talented and probably very intelligent, I myself have an I.Q. of 142 but for years as a kid officials thought I was a retard and a write off because of the suffering in the familial environ and the fact I had disengaged and this comes through in the film when all the Police want to do is lock the little guy up but like all young kids, really needed to be understood not treated as though a criminal, as does the lack of permanence when he began to trust somebody when taken into care and although the film doesn't get into his future (I don't want to give too much away.) I know that is what it is like when one is moved through the care system and forming a bond in an environ where nobody actually cares that much at all as they are philanthropist, yes, but only doing a job at the end of the day, that betrayal and lack of permanent bonding with adults stays with you as a deep footprint. It is something that affected this lad, Des, profoundly when he wanted to stay where he had bonded with an adult he felt he could trust.
I highly recommend this film to anybody interested in socio-dynamics, especially because although set in Canada I can say the dynamics are universal because of the way it mirrored my own.
The guys who made this film did a really good job in hitting home subtleties in a powerful way.
To answer the previous review. Remember it? I shall find it hard to forget because in a way I lived it, even looked a bit like Des when i was a kid!!!
Sincerely.
Paul. AKA DELTAPAN
This film had me in tears towards the end and I have had a life that began a bit like Des's so social dramas' etc don't really affect me as though it might some people who have lived privileged or comfortable lives because i analyse but don't often become emotional through watching a film like i did with this excellent creation from Stephen Surjik and its' writer Dennis Foon and i will be trying to contact them to tell them myself (Never felt like doing that before!).
I live in the UK and so my childhood didn't involve firearms, well not until I was 17 because they are quite rightly a lot harder to come by than in Canada, even then I discarded the pistol I brought after threatening somebody for running over a dog and would never own one again, I am now 39.
This film had so many other parallels though that it was almost traumatic to watch and see how it mirrored myself, it was definitely painful at times as my stomach felt like somebody had just kicked me in it. Because of that I would have to say that it is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen, period.
The ending is tragic because of the way he isolated his self from the only person he felt he could trust will leave many who can identify with the film, numb. It did me.
The character as myself was talented and probably very intelligent, I myself have an I.Q. of 142 but for years as a kid officials thought I was a retard and a write off because of the suffering in the familial environ and the fact I had disengaged and this comes through in the film when all the Police want to do is lock the little guy up but like all young kids, really needed to be understood not treated as though a criminal, as does the lack of permanence when he began to trust somebody when taken into care and although the film doesn't get into his future (I don't want to give too much away.) I know that is what it is like when one is moved through the care system and forming a bond in an environ where nobody actually cares that much at all as they are philanthropist, yes, but only doing a job at the end of the day, that betrayal and lack of permanent bonding with adults stays with you as a deep footprint. It is something that affected this lad, Des, profoundly when he wanted to stay where he had bonded with an adult he felt he could trust.
I highly recommend this film to anybody interested in socio-dynamics, especially because although set in Canada I can say the dynamics are universal because of the way it mirrored my own.
The guys who made this film did a really good job in hitting home subtleties in a powerful way.
To answer the previous review. Remember it? I shall find it hard to forget because in a way I lived it, even looked a bit like Des when i was a kid!!!
Sincerely.
Paul. AKA DELTAPAN
I saw this some years ago on TV late at night and somehow managed to miss or forget the title. Now I can't remember a huge amount about the plot but suffice to say I've spent at least 3 years searching for it so I can try and buy it - all I had to go on was it was Canadian, sometime in the 90s and featured a song by Hole in it. Eventually found it through the IMDb search - after turning up almost 1000 possibles. If that length of time looking for a movie isn't a recommendation from me to see this film I don't know what is!! Now does anyone know where I can buy this!?
When Little Criminals was first televised in my area in January of 1996, I taped it....and to this day I still have the tape, and have watched it a number of times. This is an incredibly engrossing movie, with terrific acting by all involved, especially Brendan Fletcher and the late Myles Ferguson (RIP). Fletcher plays Des, an eleven-year-old boy who is already a career criminal. He smokes, does drugs, sets fires, mugs people, steals everything from cartons of cigarettes to guns and automobiles, and (although we don't actually see evidence of it) claims he is sexually active. He lives in an old, dilapidated, roach-ridden house with his neglectful mother. His friend and partner-in-crime is Cory (Ferguson), a basically decent kid who is going through a rather vigorous adolescent rebellion due to his ambivalence towards his new stepfather, stepsister and baby half-brother.
He falls in with Des for awhile, but eventually wises up, near the end of the movie. When Des is finally taken away from his mother, he gets sent to an assessment centre for troubled children. At this point, we get to see what makes Des tick, and it looks as though Des might turn his life around. A happy ending? Sadly, no. This movie has a very downbeat, depressing conclusion, which actually serves to make the movie even more powerful and poignant. A must-see.
He falls in with Des for awhile, but eventually wises up, near the end of the movie. When Des is finally taken away from his mother, he gets sent to an assessment centre for troubled children. At this point, we get to see what makes Des tick, and it looks as though Des might turn his life around. A happy ending? Sadly, no. This movie has a very downbeat, depressing conclusion, which actually serves to make the movie even more powerful and poignant. A must-see.
A film that proves that kids can act!
When i first saw this film I was about 15-16 and loved it then cause of the kids who didnt care about what they were doing. They were free.
Now that I am older I can see the film in a different light, seeing that the system that failed the main character (Des) and he was a product of his environment.
The music in this film is great, it sets the feel for the scenes they were chosen for.
If you have time see this film, its well worth it! (or if you dont have time, make time)
When i first saw this film I was about 15-16 and loved it then cause of the kids who didnt care about what they were doing. They were free.
Now that I am older I can see the film in a different light, seeing that the system that failed the main character (Des) and he was a product of his environment.
The music in this film is great, it sets the feel for the scenes they were chosen for.
If you have time see this film, its well worth it! (or if you dont have time, make time)
- original_dan_uk
- Feb 12, 2002
- Permalink
i read someone's review on this film and i agree it is brill in fact this is my favourite film of all time i have watched it about 10 times over the past few months its really gripping the way Des and Cory goon together the only thing i can never seem to get is why does Des try to kill Cory at the end because that was his best mate and he shared stuff with him that he never with the rest of the gang anyway if u have not seen this for ages and you live in the UK well your in look it is on the true movie channel a lot channel 323 or sometimes 324 witch is true moves 2 on sky they are free channels so Ur in look there the next time it is on for all interested is 12:05 midnight on channel 323 on Sunday have a look at your sky planner if u with to confirm this can anyone email me and let me know why es treys to kill Cory when he is pointing th gun i know Cory gets away but i still cant get that part thanks a lot
I saw this movie on the CBC when I was 7 and I've never forgot about it I still have a copy that i taped in 1995, i have very rarely seen a Canadian film since that was as good as this one. I was a bad ass as a kid and this movie gave me great ideas on what i could an couldn't get away with it left a lasting impression on me and id recommend it to anyone. this is a definite family flick that every kid should watch to help them decide f crime is the life for them. kids will be kids and no movie displays that more than this one
if you ever have the chance to view this film drop whatever your doing and tune in you'll never regret it
if you ever have the chance to view this film drop whatever your doing and tune in you'll never regret it
this film is a good film but what makes it better is the fact its true it really moved me. Des is a great actor and really is moving in this film. things like this happen everyday but we don't know its great they made a movie like this i watched this movie on true movies a channel on sky and I'm going to buy it on DVD or video Corey is a good actor too i really think this movie reflects what really happens in real life. i actually thought this movie was set in the u.s.a but when i found out it was in Canada i was shocked. I'm not a person to really be moved by movies but this one got to my heart is really upset me that it really happen and a lad burn himself because he is so confused good movie 10 out 10
- jack_warner24
- Jun 18, 2006
- Permalink
This is a truly nasty film in every sense of the word. Teenage deliquents who are from broken homes. But this is far worse than your typical fair. UPN/Warner Bros./WB flagship stuff. The story is about a young boy named Des who is failed by the system several times, and has a mom who abuses her. Then he has a friend who is trying to go the right route, and his father tries to help him. Des does several crimes. It's a truly disturbing movie about kids involving juvenile crimes and it's a truly sad movie. It's as dark as "Fresh," and truly is creepy. The movie is marked by hard-hitting performances. And it's likely filmed in the same place "The Sentinel" was filmed, Vancouver.
- robert-macc
- Jan 30, 2024
- Permalink
i'm only 13, and i'm not really into true-life stories, but this one really got to me. my Nan was watching it on the true movie channel, i thought it was going to be rubbish, but i watched it and it was really cool, and at some points i nearly cried! i think it was really sad at the end. i think everyone would enjoy this film, even if it's not you thing, like me. i never actually saw it from the beginning, but the half i saw was great. it was on lats night again, but i didn't want to watch it in case i started to cry in front of every one! i was thinking of buying it and taking it to school, i'm sure they'll love it, and it's ideal for something like child development.
I watched this movie as a somewhat troubled teenager and it made such a huge impression. It hit me right in the soul. It also made realize how blessed I was. The story is tragic but well constructed. The acting is honest, especially the kids are (un)believebly good. And the soundtrack... The music ties it all together beautifully. It's a heartbreaking affair but definitely worth the watch. This movie deserves way more attention and praise if you ask me. Every kid in the world deserves the warmth and safety of a loving home. Apparently we can not safeguard this as a society. This flick is a hidden gem for sure.
- mendozatrade
- Oct 14, 2024
- Permalink
- Foreverisacastironmess123
- Aug 15, 2014
- Permalink
- steelsniper
- Nov 1, 2003
- Permalink
This is a really great film, it gives a realistic view of modern day life thru the eyes of one section of our young peoples community.
Although painful to watch at times, the film itself is great, the acting, as well as the message. It is complemented by the music.
I have had a copy of this film for three years now and is still on my regular to view list.
I f you can get a chance, watch it.
Although painful to watch at times, the film itself is great, the acting, as well as the message. It is complemented by the music.
I have had a copy of this film for three years now and is still on my regular to view list.
I f you can get a chance, watch it.