By REY FLORES
Little Boy is a cinematic triumph. This movie is simply one of the best movies I have ever had the pleasure of watching. Perhaps I am a little biased because I actually heard a fundraising pitch back in 2010 for the movie, a pitch made by filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde himself.
While Monteverde described what his new project would be, little did I imagine that he would accomplish the glorious film he did, but enough about that.
Little Boy takes us into another era when America was a much different place — a time when our country was still united by traditional family values and when men were expected to be men and women were happy to be women.
In one of the best performances I have ever witnessed by any actor of any age, seven-year-old Jakob Salvati plays the lead role of Pepper Flynt Busbee, whose entire world revolves around his loving father, who is as much of a little boy as his son is.
They both play and imagine themselves in the wildest scenarios, losing themselves in a sea of imagination only they know, and a secret that is theirs alone. Being the father of four boys, I was especially moved to see how precious every moment we spend with our sons is.
Without giving too much of the storyline away, soon the idyllic world of little boy Busbee and his Dad is forever changed with the looming shadow of the Second World War.
Little Pepper must now face the world somewhat alone, but, with a faith that is instilled by him by some caring adults in his life, he does believe all things are possible, including moving a pop bottle across a table at a magic show matinee his older brother takes him to.
Pretty soon that faith is tested in this little boy, who is small for his size, but yet able to fend for himself more and more as his faith in God grows. Little Pepper’s belief is so strong that he actually believes he can literally move mountains, and at the end of the film, he does with a very touching moment with his family.
The film cinematography is incredible. I love nostalgia, and Little Boy recreates the 1940s in great detail, from the costumes to the hairstyles and automobiles, and even the pop bottle Pepper moves at that life-changing magic show.
The film runs 86 minutes, but it seems to run a little longer because of its incredible depth. It’s the first time I have had a film seem like it ran longer than it did, but for good reasons, not bad. Be prepared to bring plenty of tissues because if you are anything like me, you’ll be blubbering like a baby a few times during the film.
In collaboration with another favorite actor and filmmaker, Eduardo Verastegui (Bella, For Greater Glory), the film is produced by Verastegui’s Metanoia films and distributed by Open Road Films and is scheduled to open nationwide this April 24.
I highly recommend this film for the entire family and I encourage you to invite all your friends and family members to go and watch it on its opening weekend. Watch the trailer at www.littleboymovie.com.
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(Rey Flores reviews books and film for The Wanderer. Contact Rey at reyfloresusa@gmail.com.)
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