Nothing’s as big as your first love.
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy-romance
Verdict: Can’t help falling for this one
The gist: Ten-year-old Gabe (Josh Hutcherson) has it all together. He has his loving -albeit dysfunctional – parents Adam (Bradley Whitford) and Leslie (Cynthia Nixon), his friends, and his sports. He’s living the good life. Then Rosemary Telesco (Charlie Ray) walks into his karate class – and everything changes. Sure, he’s known her since kindergarten, but suddenly he sees her with different eyes. In a blink he feels the awe and misery that is first love. And New York will never be the same …
My take: I’ll be honest. Renting this movie was not my idea. After all, who wants to watch 11-year-olds get more action than you? EXACTLY. But from the moment the movie began, I was hooked. Jennifer Flackett (writer) and Mark Levin (director) display a fine talent in capturing first love and all its complexities. This film is much like a time machine – taking you back to those days of innocence. It beautifully conveys the humor, exhilaration, and complete-and-utter despair of first love. And suggests to those who have found true love: despite the hardship, disappointment, and sorrow it may bring, love is worth fighting for …