The mother of a young genius wants him to have a regular life while an educator sees him as a special case, not a child.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: PG
Release Date: 7-OCT-2003
Media Type: DVD
Had its moments but overall, it fell short and not worthy of rewatching.
Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 5/6/2023...
I love Jodie Foster and she is wonderful in this classic movie about what to do with a child prodigy...so is the little guy (Adam Hann-Byrd) that plays her son.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Beth P. (dvdswapee) Reviewed on 3/3/2017...
Too much profanity for me.
5 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Never get tired of watching this movie...
Chayse | British Columbia, Canada | 02/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, I don't know all those technical things about whether a movie is good or not. I don't worry about how good the directing is, or even how good the script is. And sure, it can get a little (ok, a lot) annoying if the acting in a movie is bad, but all I really care about is whether I like the movie or not. I loved this movie from the first time I saw it, and my husband likes it too. Maybe it's considered a drama, but there are so many cute, funny moments in the movie that make LMT so very enjoyable. And Fred is so adorable. :o)"
THE VAGARIES OF GENIUS
Shashank Tripathi | Gadabout | 08/07/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Genius does not herd with genius, said Oliver Wendell Holmes, but come to think of it it does not herd with anyone at all. Little Man Tate charts the solitary prodigious existence of a pint-sized 6-year old, gifted beyond the regular rations allocated to ordinary men.
The story is as hackneyed as can be: a working class mother fiercely protective of her little brainiac, wants him to do well, so despite sparks with school psychologist lets him take part in bigtime contests for special kids, where he meets people of all kinds, etc etc. You get the picture.
Or may be you don't. The proof is in the pudding. Debuting as a director, Jodie Foster nails the production quality. The cinematography is fabulous. While parts of the script are predictably cheesy, all the characters are generally pleasant, the emotional scenes are moving, and all the interactional contretemps resolve neatly in the end.
And the message is heartening: even if he is more "grown up" than the rest of his Peter Pan peers, Fred is not special in every way. He is just as needy of a mother's affection, a teacher's direction and the companionship of regular social groups.
Plain stuff, but very efficiently delivered. Recommended rental."
Genius re-gaining childhood
Graham Little | London, UK | 10/25/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A child genius who lives with his now single mother, both of whom enjoy a fruitful, loving relationship, despite the life the young boy leads. A classic film that allows an understanding for people of not only the way youngsters are graded, tested, and pushed beyond their years, but also an insight to how the class "square" might have felt when you were at school. A brilliant directed film, and a definite must watch."
Good pic about finding your place in the world
D Dunleavy | 11/21/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I disagree somewhat with the reviews I have seen here. Although the main character is a genius, I think the main plot is about finding your place in life. While some children are lucky and slide right in, here the genius child is out of place with his surroundings. With a teacher and mom who cannot stimulate him intellectually, and the other children who make fun of him.
Soon he has the chance to be in a school with other geniuses, but does he fit here? I'll let you find out.
I think the boy is engaging and believable as the child genius. And as always Diane Weist does a terrific job as the head of the 'genius institute'. Jodie foster gives a good performance as the off beat mom. And I think she does a good job as director, although some movie seems predictible.
Overall better than most of the movies out there getting 4 stars by critics."
Wonderfull
Joao Vaz | 01/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just love this movie. After showing her skills in acting, Jodie Foster, steps forward to prove that her skills on directing are not less impressive.
I do recomend this movie, great acting, very moving, show it to your children."