Little Secrets

This review was written for the theatrical release of "Little Secrets."

NEW YORK -- While family films of any sort are to be encouraged in this day and age, it's unfortunate that the current crop seems to veer between vulgarized big-screen versions of television cartoons and low-budget efforts that seem far better suited to the Hallmark Channel. "Little Secrets," a sweet, innocuous and utterly bland family drama, is a prime example of the latter, and its theatrical release should receive some attention only because of the performance by Evan Rachel Wood in the starring role. This talented young actress also appears in the Al Pacino starrer "Simone," also opening today.

Wood, so impressive in the recently canceled ABC series "Once and Again," is a luminous screen presence. Unfortunately, both she and the filmmakers here seem acutely aware of it, with lengthy and intense close-ups lavished on her at every opportunity. She plays Emily, a violin whiz who sacrifices the pleasures of summer camp in order to stay home and practice for an upcoming competition.

Emily also considers herself good at keeping secrets so, aping Lucy in the "Peanuts" comics, she opens up a booth in the back yard where the neighboring children can come and confess their transgressions. At first the practice is both fun and profitable, but Emily soon finds that keeping secrets is not as easy as she thought. Complicating matters even further is her burgeoning attraction to the cute older brother of a boy who has moved in next door.

A lot of things happen during the course of the film, but the intricate plot developments are conveyed in such perfunctory and undramatic fashion that maintaining interest is a difficult chore. The cast of young performers has been directed to perform in as cutesy a fashion as possible, and the adults -- with the exception of the always lively Vivica A. Fox as a neighbor with troubles of her own -- aren't much better.

Yes, the film delivers wholesome messages about the importance of friendship, family, honesty, etc. But, as demonstrated here, good intentions don't necessarily make for compelling storytelling.

LITTLE SECRETS
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Credits:
Director: Blair Treu
Screenwriter: Jessica Barondes
Producers: Blair Treu, Don Schain, Jessica Barondes
Director of photography: Brian Sullivan
Composer: Sam Cardon
Editor: Jerry Stayner
Production designer: Gary Griffin Constable
Cast:
Emily: Evan Rachel Wood
Philip: Michael Angarano
David: David Gallagher
Pauline: Vivica A. Fox
Running time -- 107 minutes
MPAA rating: PG