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Little Boy

PG-13 Released Apr 24, 2015 1h 46m History Drama War TRAILER for List
26% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When auto mechanic James Busbee (Michael Rapaport) is sent to fight the Japanese during World War II, he leaves behind his wife (Emily Watson) and two sons, London (David Henrie) and Pepper (Jakob Salvati). Pepper feels his father's absence most keenly, and can't wait for him to return home. An encounter with a magician (Ben Chaplin) and advice from a priest (Tom Wilkinson) convince Pepper that the power to bring his dad back safely may be within himself and his actions.
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Little Boy

Little Boy

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Critics Consensus

Well-meaning but manipulative on a horrifically misguided scale, Little Boy is the rare faith-based film that many viewers may find legitimately offensive.

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Critics Reviews

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Alison Willmore BuzzFeed News The movie seems utterly and sincerely well-intentioned -- which is why what happens in it is so jaw-dropping. Nov 10, 2015 Full Review Steve Davis Austin Chronicle For all its unsubtle sentimentality, it remains unclear whether Little Boy intends to celebrate the conviction of belief or to mock it. Rated: 2/5 Apr 30, 2015 Full Review Inkoo Kang TheWrap Despite boasting several important moral lessons, the period piece is more artificial than a polyester teddy bear stuffed with Splenda and Cheez Whiz - and about as appealing Rated: 40/100 Apr 24, 2015 Full Review Kip Mooney College Movie Review There's an earnestness that simply can't be denied. Rated: B- Aug 29, 2021 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens [T]he most uplifting, hopeful and faith restoring film to come around in a long while. Dec 8, 2019 Full Review Bernard Boo Way Too Indie At best, the film's messaging is outdated; at worst, it's insensitive and difficult to bear. Rated: 3/10 Mar 14, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (604) audience reviews
pieperbe Horrific. Grotesque and reprehensible. Anyone who sees this as an uplifting film about the power of faith needs to have their moral compass checked. The great triumph of his faith was the belief that he helped murder hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. I wish I could give below zero stars. This movie deserves negative four stars. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/16/24 Full Review GT S Stumbled across this little gem that I've never heard of. What a nice surprise. How could you not be in tears at the end of this? Beautiful film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/21/24 Full Review Ozzie I Just watched this movie on Tubi on the recommendation of a friend. Really loved it, was a real tearjerker. Would recommend to anyone. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/12/24 Full Review Aimee A While a little on the long side, Little Boy has a stellar cast and performance by the young star. It is a heart felt story of family and communities torn apart by war, grief, and bigotry and the misguided beliefs of an eight year old boy who desperately wants his father back. It's tongue-in-cheek humor is apparently missed by several critics. I'm shocked honestly by the low rating for this film. It is also not a religious movie of faith as some claim, but a story of hope, forgiveness, and reconciliation. In the end, the boy understands that he didn't really create any of the events (including unleashing the atomic bomb, which he later has a nightmare about after he realizes the atrocity of war) but he brought goodness into his community and had done it out of love for his father. Luckily, this tear jerker ends on a happy note, leaving us believing not that he brought about the events, but that miracles are possible. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/28/23 Full Review Wendy B Love this movie! Beautiful story. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/23 Full Review Audience Member If your wondering, should I watch this? Or not? I think you should. It’s a very good movie and with a happy ending. The director is incredible. He directs this new movie called sound of freedom. Little boy has a good message saying small kids can do great big things. You need to see it. The tomato meter is lying. This is a really good movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Little Boy

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis When auto mechanic James Busbee (Michael Rapaport) is sent to fight the Japanese during World War II, he leaves behind his wife (Emily Watson) and two sons, London (David Henrie) and Pepper (Jakob Salvati). Pepper feels his father's absence most keenly, and can't wait for him to return home. An encounter with a magician (Ben Chaplin) and advice from a priest (Tom Wilkinson) convince Pepper that the power to bring his dad back safely may be within himself and his actions.
Director
Alejandro Monteverde
Producer
Leo Severino, Eduardo Verástegui, Alejandro Monteverde
Screenwriter
Alejandro Monteverde, Pepe Portillo
Distributor
Open Road
Production Co
Metanoia Films
Rating
PG-13 (Violence|Some Thematic Material)
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 24, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.5M
Runtime
1h 46m
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