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The Education of Little Tree (1997)

Education of Little Tree

Despite comments that the author of the book from which this film comes may have had racist tendencies the tale sets out to show the prejudices in us all. The actors, particularly, Joseph Ashton (Little Tree) are adorable as if they are right out of a patchwork quilt. I don't mean to diminish the impact of this film by that comment. James Cromwell and Tantoo Cardinal as the grandparents set out to bring up the young by letting him learn by his own mistakes. The State, as always, has to interfere and its perhaps here that the boy's education really begins. The Appallachan scenery is jaw dropping and adds to the atmosphere that pervades from start to finish. THis a story to curl up with on the sofa on a cold, wet afternoon. It pulls at your heart strings and also has you smiling at tender moments. There is even one great belly laughing scene. I first saw this on U.K. TV and immediately ordered it on video. It's certainly in my top ten films of all time.