The Kids are Alright -- Standout Child Performances
Pajiba's Guide to What's Good for You / John Williams
Childhood can be a treacherous time. I’m 32 (for a few more short weeks), and there are plenty of days when the world still seems completely inscrutable to me. I can only imagine how I must have felt before the plates of my skull had fully fused.
This is one of the reasons it’s disappointing to see children in movies so often drawn with all the emotional complexity of a puppy in a basket. I know at least a handful of people who swear by the rule that if a child plays a prominent role, a movie is not for them. Having suffered through my share of sap, I can understand that. In a majority of cases, a very young actor is no more than a prop to produce unearned tears, or laughter, or sympathy for an adult character. Those prop performances are of varying quality (some kids are better at it than others), but the purpose is still noxious.
This is the point at which I was going to make fun of Jonathan Lipnicki in Jerry Maguire, but it wasn’t his fault. There is something adorable about a tiny kid with oversized glasses who knows the weight of the human head, but there’s something less adorable about Cameron Crowe so crassly using him to manipulate the audience into caring about the movie’s central love story between his mom, Renee Zellweger, and the title character, The Ego from Planet Norgatron.
On lucky occasions, though, through the rare intelligence of a filmmaker or the sheer talent of a kid, we see a child as something more, as something closer to what children are, which is (scary thought) simply adults minus experience. The movies listed below all feature standout performances by child actors, but first, a couple of brief notes on the selection process:
I’ve set an (admittedly arbitrary) age limit of 13, mostly because once someone passes that age, I think it’s increasingly possible that they’re just preternaturally mature, making any great performance less of a marvel. I’m thinking of turns like Judy Garland’s in The Wizard of Oz — she was in her mid-teens when that was filming, but she might as well have been 50, the way she carried herself and held the screen.
This rule also eliminates one of the most, um, discussed performances by a youngster, which is Natalie Portman in Beautiful Girls. Playing 13, she was 15 at the time, which makes the ensuing, raging crush suffered by every American male, including yours truly, only slightly less creepy. I’ve actually felt OK about my feelings for a while, because the point of the role is to show how easy it would be for an older guy (whether it’s me or Timothy Hutton) to fall in love with her on some level. (Rationalization: It’s what’s for dinner.)
Lastly, these are not my favorite movies that happen to have kids in them. I tried to select the best performances, even if the larger movie surrounding them is less than perfect. The kids are ranked in no special order, though the two I found most remarkable are at the bottom.
Justin Henry — Kramer vs. Kramer
I only saw this for the first time a couple of years ago, and I was expecting a dated, maudlin take on the subject of divorce before it was a foregone conclusion for something like 85 percent of marriages (I haven’t checked the most recent statistics). It was pretty dumb to have those expectations of a movie that features both Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, but even they might have been hamstrung playing alongside an awkward child. Luckily, Henry (as their young son Billy) is a natural. His scenes with Hoffman have genuine father-son chemistry, which is vital to the movie’s emotional pull.
Nicholas Hoult — About A Boy
For the first half-hour of this adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel, Hoult (playing Marcus, a socially persecuted, androgynous schoolboy) wears a self-conscious smirk on his face. He’s not bad, but he’s nothing special. Then his mother (Toni Collette) attempts suicide, and his performance, including strong voiceover work, slowly gets richer (and it has to, because Hugh Grant, who plays the charming, hollow cad who unwittingly becomes Marcus’ father figure, has never been better cast).
William Eadie — Ratcatcher
Set in Glasgow in the early 1970s, during a garbage strike, Ratcatcher could hardly be grimmer in its choice of locale. Its characters aren’t exactly carefree, either. Eadie plays James, a quiet boy with a father who drinks too much, a mother who looks distractingly like Rachel Dratch, and two sisters who alternately ignore and tease him. The movie begins with a startling switch of perspective (no reason to spoil it) before it meanders along with James through trash-filled streets, toxically polluted canals, and his family’s unkempt flat. The movie was mostly improvised, and Eadie conveys more through his mere presence than his speech. He has a disarming, expressive face and, fitting for the role, it’s often hard to tell whether he’s more sad or bored.
Two other kids in the cast also deserve mention — John Miller as Kenny, a small, stuttering boy who likes to collect rodents; and Leanne Mullen as Margaret Anne, a gangly girl who, in one of the story’s most dispiriting strands, offers herself up to several tough boys in the slum. Director Lynne Ramsay (who went on to make Morvern Callar) said that some of the inspiration for this feature-length debut came from her love of still photographs. This is clear throughout, but most obvious in a stunning scene when James, walking through an empty house in a newly built residential development in the surrounding countryside, comes upon a window looking out onto a vast cornfield.
Rory Culkin — You Can Count on Me
I think just about everything in this movie is pitch-perfect (it’s easily among a handful of my very favorites), but that might not have been the case if the role of Laura Linney’s son, Rudy, hadn’t been so expertly played by Culkin. He portrays a smart kid in just the way kids are smart — not precociously encyclopedic, just wise about what’s going on around him and guileless enough to come up blank at times. His most memorable moment comes during a great scene with his uncle Terry, played by Mark Ruffalo. After Terry delivers a cranky, junior-high-level critique of suburban existence, Culkin earnestly asks, “What are you talking about?”
Christian Bale — Empire of the Sun
I’ve always thought this was Spielberg’s best work. It’s certainly his most underrated. Just about every scene is flawlessly shot, and while the last 30 minutes come apart a bit as Spielberg breaks out his Book of Morals, that hardly makes it different from any of his other Serious Films. Amazingly, Empire “introduced” Bale, and you could do worse than have your coming-out party directed by Spielberg from a script by Tom Stoppard. Bale is impressive as James Graham, a young Brit in Japan during World War II who goes from aristocratic brat to orphaned in an internment camp, where he has to grow up, but quick.
Here’s a clip, which is only an average scene for Bale, but the slow-motion shot as he watches his favorite fighter plane glide by is pure genius. There are things to dislike about Spielberg, but when you see a moment like this, it’s hard to deny that the guy is a master of his medium.
Max Pomeranc — Searching for Bobby Fischer
Pomeranc plays Josh Waitzkin, a chess prodigy in New York. The beauty of the performance (and the movie) is that Josh isn’t portrayed as a Rain Man-like freak of nature. He’s just a bright, shy kid with an extraordinary gift for playing chess, which is probably helped by the fact that Pomeranc was a highly ranked young player himself. The adults around him slowly become unhinged (but never melodramatically) as they try to both manage and exploit his talent.
Sean Nelson — Fresh
Along with Fischer, this is one that I couldn’t find on DVD in time to refresh my memory. (Also like Fischer, though not as blatantly, chess plays a role in this one.) The movie takes its title from the nickname of Nelson’s character, who lives in a house for children without parents. His father (Samuel L. Jackson) is still around on the streets, though, and the two have a relationship of sorts. I remember the movie being a bit uneven, jarring at times, but Nelson is terrific, including a powerful final moment that stays in my head as vividly as only a few others. For his work, Nelson earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance, beating out Renee Zellweger and Jeremy Davies, among others.
Abigail Breslin — Little Miss Sunshine
It was in the build-up to the closing scene of Little Miss Sunshine that I realized just how much Breslin’s performance was affecting me. She had already wowed me in a scene with Alan Arkin where she had to express the fear of failing her dad. The movie, though, had taken a turn for the slapstick that guaranteed it wouldn’t be much more memorable to me than any other entertaining comedy with a patina of indie credibility. But as Breslin got ready for the beauty pageant that inspired the title, a pageant the audience had every reason to think would go badly — and not in a funny way — I found myself thinking of the filmmakers: Harm this girl, and I will kill you. Partly that was because the situation was rigged to generate sympathy for the vulnerable kid (and in this way, of all the performances here, Breslin’s probably comes closest to achieving its impact in the cheapest manner), but there was more to it. Breslin had made her character, Olive, deeply sympathetic. We’ve all known true-blue nerds like that. (OK, most of us were — or still are — true-blue nerds like that.)
Tatum O’Neal — Paper Moon
When I was a kid, I had a crush on O’Neal in The Bad News Bears and Little Darlings (which she starred in with Kristy McNichol, my uber-object of affection as a kid). If I had seen Paper Moon back then, I might have hauled my eight-year-old self to Hollywood and become the world’s youngest stalker.
Now that I’ve shared way too much …
Set in the American South during the Great Depression, Paper Moon was O’Neal’s first role, opposite her father (Ryan O’Neal), who plays a con man selling high-quality Bibles to freshly made widows who never ordered the things. Hijinks ensue.
Tatum, who turned 10 the year the movie was released, is hysterically funny. (When I told one friend I was writing this guide, and mentioned Paper Moon, she laughed and said, “‘I need to go to the shithouse’ … That’s one of my favorite lines ever.”) I think this is the second best movie, overall, on the list, behind You Can Count on Me. And along with the movie that follows below, it easily places the most weight on the child’s performance. There are extended scenes of rapid-fire dialogue (clearly uncut) where it’s almost impossible to believe that O’Neal was up to this task.
Here’s a quieter moment, the only one I could find.
Victoire Thivisol — Ponette
I know that the impact of the word “astonishing” has been greatly diminished by a world in which the Fairfield (CT) Fur Trapper-Gazzette offers to slap it on every big-studio newspaper ad for a dollar a shot, but how else would you describe a performance by a four-year-old that forms the emotional core of a devastating story about the loss of a parent and a crisis of faith? I saw this in a Dallas theater when it was released in 1997, but I just rewatched it, fearing it was the type of performance that loomed too mythically large in my memory.
Nope.
The movie itself is strange, an extended meditation (in French) on a single idea, acted out almost entirely by children, and probably wildly subject to personal taste (I liked it a lot). It opens with Ponette in a hospital bed, arm in a cast, sucking her thumb, watched over by her young father. We quickly learn that she was in a car accident with her mother, who didn’t survive. The rest of the movie follows Ponette as she moves in with an aunt and two young cousins, then into a private home for children, all the while repeatedly praying to her mother and God for a reunion. Not much else happens over the course of the film’s 95 minutes, and it’s not hard to imagine someone being bored by it (particularly easy for me, since I’m pretty sure my girlfriend at the time let out a massive yawn over the closing credits). But the job done by Thivisol is less open to interpretation.
First, she has to overcome the fact that she’s an impossibly beautiful child in order for the performance to transcend its obvious heart-tugging appeal. There’s no question that some of the movie’s impact comes from just setting an adorable kid in front of a camera and telling the viewers that her mommy’s dead. She is also subject to the type of rumors that are probably natural in the face of a four-year-old pulling this off. Sites like IMDb are filled with speculation about whether or not she was abused on some level in order to look so sad so often, but while I guess I could imagine something along the lines of the director saying something cruel to inspire her, I don’t buy it. A hysterical kid would just look like a hysterical kid. Thivisol’s performance is controlled and purposeful, without a doubt.
What’s most amazing is how she convincingly progresses through the stages of not just grief but religious belief. When a woman at the school consoles a tearful Ponette by saying, “When God was Jesus on Earth, he also cried. But usually He’s as joyful as a child,” Ponette, confused at the sentiment, calmly shoots back, “It’s not joyful being a child.” Ahem.
The movie plays like a pretty straightforward Christian parable, which isn’t for everyone (including me, most of the time), but don’t miss this. No matter what you think of the movie as a whole (and I feel like I’ve given fair warning), her performance is one you will never forget.
John Williams lives in Brooklyn. He’s an editor at Harper Perennial and a freelance writer. He blogs at A Special Way of Being Afraid.
Pajiba Love 12/11/06 | | INLAND EMPIRE |
Comments
Ricky Schroeder: The Champ
Posted by: Samantha T at December 12, 2006 12:19 PM
Oh, and every single child on "The Wire."
Posted by: Samantha T at December 12, 2006 12:20 PM
I pretty positive that Bale was stranded in Japanese occupied China in "Empire".
Noted and corrected. Thanks.
Posted by: handel at December 12, 2006 12:42 PM
I completely agree with your impressions of "Empire of the Sun" It has it's flaws but it's cinematography is breathtaking and Christian Bale is brilliant as Jim. Films like this can make you forgive Spielberg for "Hook".
Posted by: Dano at December 12, 2006 12:47 PM
What about Elijah Wood? Nothing he was in was ever cutesy, and he never mugged for the camera. He always seemed like a real kid.
Posted by: BWeaves at December 12, 2006 12:51 PM
Danny Lloyd in the Shining deserves a mentioning.
Posted by: Me at December 12, 2006 12:51 PM
How can you forget the kids in To Kill a Mockingbird? Complete naturals.
Posted by: Grace at December 12, 2006 12:55 PM
I'm wondering why you chose not to include Haley Joel in 6th Sense - as overhyped and overrated as the movie is, you have to admit that the boy was a kind of savant of acting. And then there's also the Jen-Pierre Leaud, 400 blows, as a high water mark for what a film carried by a boy can do.
And there's Eamonn Owens ,who gave The Butcher Boy true lunacy.
Posted by: mike at December 12, 2006 1:00 PM
Anna Pacquin in 'The Piano'. I believe she got an oscar for it, too.
Posted by: Brite at December 12, 2006 1:01 PM
Leonardo DiCaprio in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"
Posted by: Samantha T at December 12, 2006 1:03 PM
For all it's cheesy-ness, you can't deny that Maculay Culkin was effectively creepy in "The Good Son". I never wanted to see kid thrown from a cliff so bad in my life.
And I second the motion for Elijah Wood. From "Radio Flyer" to "The Good Son" to "North", he aways seemed to have a full grasp of the subject at hand, even when the movies he was in didn't. (Hint: it's those wide blue eyes)
Posted by: ciji at December 12, 2006 1:10 PM
And what about Natalie Portman in "The Professional"?
Posted by: ciji at December 12, 2006 1:11 PM
HELLLOOOOO
Mannequin Skywalker anyone?!?!
Anyone?
Posted by: brutus at December 12, 2006 1:20 PM
Peter Billingsley in "A Christmas Story"
"Except I didn't say 'Fudge'"
I'm probably opening myself up for all kinds of lampooning here, but I actually thought the kid was fairly good in 3000 Miles to Graceland. Smart and active without being overly precocious and cutesy.
Posted by: Eep at December 12, 2006 1:22 PM
I absolutely agree with Empire of the Sun. The final scene in the orphanage makes me cry every time. (I also agree it is one of Spielberg's best.)
Posted by: Jenny at December 12, 2006 1:27 PM
Lukas Haas wore a big black hat well in "Witness." Hayley Joel O. should get a mention for A.I. as well as the 6th sense. And finally, River Phoenix in "Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia" was believable unfucking.
Posted by: Mike at December 12, 2006 1:36 PM
Great to see someone recognize Empire of the Sun as Spielberg's best. In fact, it's the only movie of his I would truly consider a "masterpiece," and Bale is indeed fantastic as the child J.G. Ballard.
Posted by: T at December 12, 2006 1:43 PM
I nominate Shareeka Epps, who played Drey, in "Half Nelson".
Ryan Gosling was unbelievable, and she managed to hold her own.
Posted by: KDM at December 12, 2006 1:43 PM
I believe the Detroit News (it was one of the Detroit papers) reviewer called Victoire Thivisol's performance in Ponette the best by any actress of any age ever. Don't know if I'd go that far, but it was a really remarkable job. And thanks to commenter Mike for mentioning Jean-Pierre Léaud, which would get my own vote for best child performance ever.
I feel absolutely compelled to add Enzo Staiola, the child in The Bicycle Thieves (horribly mistranslated in the singular, killing about 70% of the title's significance). I can't think about that final scene, both horribly depressing and oddly hopeful, without getting chills. To carry that off the way he did took something special.
Posted by: jhupp at December 12, 2006 1:43 PM
Drew Barrymore in ET?
Posted by: megbon at December 12, 2006 1:43 PM
Oh, thank you, John, for reminding me of how phenomenal Justin Henry was in "Kramer v. Kramer." I am totally misty right now thinking of the scene where Dustin Hoffman tells him that he's going to live with his mother and he starts crying. Oh, dear God. Tears....tears....make them stop.
Posted by: Samantha T at December 12, 2006 1:46 PM
As good as some of these performers were in those parts, I can't help but feel that it's the ability to transition to a fully working adult actor that makes me believe that some of these people actually were good actors as children, and not just good in a particular part at a particular time. Again, Elijah Wood comes to mind. Compare that to the Olsen Twins (TM) who only ever do cutesy versions of themselves, and I don't consider them actors.
Posted by: BWeaves at December 12, 2006 2:16 PM
Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire? OK, ok, that's an absolutely AWFUL movie, but blame Tony Scott, not Ms. Fanning. She's actually quite good in it.
And the omission of Osmont in Sixth Sense is glaring. I know it's somewhat popular to slam on M. Night these days, but he was truly impressive in that, and possibly even more so in A.I. (also a flawed movie).
The kid who played The Kid in Bad Santa.
Sarah Polley in Baron Munchausen.
Really, none of those will compare to the big ones already listed, but figured they deserve an honorable mention.
Oh, and the entire cast of The Goonies, because I love me some Goonies.
Posted by: TK at December 12, 2006 2:27 PM
How about In America's little girls? They were heartbreaking.
Posted by: millie at December 12, 2006 2:44 PM
No mention of the two little girls from In America? Ripped my heart out, that movie did. The older sister's speech at the end gets me every time.
Posted by: Sarah at December 12, 2006 2:47 PM
It might not have a huge American audience, but Fernando Ramos Da Silva in a 1981 Brazilian film *Pixote* was absolutely amazing. His portrayal of life in the favelas (Brazilian shanty towns, but much much worse) is heartbreaking and worthy of the "astonishing". I highly recommend it.
Posted by: Britt at December 12, 2006 2:51 PM
Apparently it's easier to name decent child performances than bad ones--they be comin' out of the woodwork. Let's toss in Sebastian Rice-Edwards from "Hope and Glory," shall we? And, as the posts are starting to suggest, pretty much any child performance in European cinema after 1990 (find me some exceptions--I'm curious).
T - I haven't seen "Empire of the Sun" (and am now tempted), but so far the only Speilberg films I think show any talent are "Duel" and "Jaws" (I'm weird that way). The characterization of the three adult male leads in "Jaws" is IMO unforgettable--and by the way there's more than one example of ho-hum child performances in that one, in case anyone's looking to start a counterpoint list.
Posted by: ranylt at December 12, 2006 2:55 PM
That little kid in Pet Sematary was pretty creepy in a wide-eyed, possessed sort of way. And I don't know how old Linda Blair was in The Exorcist, but her performance still scares the bejesus out of me.
Posted by: Kballs at December 12, 2006 3:09 PM
I would say hell yeah to the Goonies except that I think only one actor (Chunk) was under the 13 year old limitation John is working under. He's a doozy though. I always thought he would go on to bigger and better things afterward, but apparently he instead decided to be a lawyer. It's broad comedy, but his expressions and physicality show an understanding of the craft beyond his years.
Posted by: Eep at December 12, 2006 3:09 PM
Totally, totally agree with all the love for Empire of the Sun. Christian Bale was heartbreaking. Also, the girls in In America were so, well, normal seemingly, as is Nicholas Hoult in About a Boy and Peter Billingsley (getting off spectacular hipshots). Also, what about Sebastian Rice Edwards as Billy in Hope and Glory? A great, overlooked Boorman film (also featuring Ewan McGregor's best mate Charlie as a Luftwaffe pilot), and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate.
And, the Jr. Cleaner herself, Natalie Portman in The Professional (this is for you, Matilda.....)
Posted by: dammitjanet at December 12, 2006 3:09 PM
Thank you for mentioning Rory Culkin and You Can Count On Me. I adore the way that movie sneaks in and knocks your socks off before you even know what's happening.
Posted by: go big red at December 12, 2006 3:20 PM
Apparently, none of you remember Chunk in The Goonies.
Posted by: brutus at December 12, 2006 3:21 PM
Damn, a few of you did. I need to refresh more.
Posted by: brutus at December 12, 2006 3:23 PM
I absolutely agree about Lukas Haas and the girls from In America. I remember watching both of those films respectively, and being absolutely blown away. When a child actor is note-perfect, it is really impactful. Ponette is getting added to my Netflix list, if it's available.
I also want to mention the entire child cast of "The Devil's Backbone", a very original and under-exposed Spanish thriller with natural, expressive little actors.
And was Kiki Palmer from Akeelah and the Bee too old for this list?
Posted by: MaiGirl at December 12, 2006 3:33 PM
thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for not including anything dakota fanning.
Posted by: cris at December 12, 2006 3:58 PM
"I also want to mention the entire child cast of "The Devil's Backbone", a very original and under-exposed Spanish thriller with natural, expressive little actors."
Great mention--I loved how all of the little kids kicked ass in that movie. Amazing.
Also, the movie "Central Station" comes to mind...the young boy who played opposite Fernanda Montenegro was pretty amazing.
And I'm thirding (fourthing? fifthing?) the Elijah Wood love. I've liked him for far too long and he seems to be one of the few 'child' actors who has matured into a great adult actor.
Posted by: em at December 12, 2006 4:01 PM
The kids in These Three - far more natural than any of the adults.
Posted by: ormond at December 12, 2006 4:06 PM
Great list John.
If you could break the 13 rule, I'd recommend Mean Creek. Acted almost entirely by kids, and they all turn out great performances.
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at December 12, 2006 4:24 PM
Ok, just spent a bit composing a reply about Jamie Bell in Billy Elliot, and then at the last second just checked to see that he was 14.
Drat.
Great movie though, not to mention the soundtrack with songs by T.Rex.
Posted by: mswas at December 12, 2006 4:44 PM
Abigail Breslin's big brother Spencer made me laugh really hard in "The Kid."
Posted by: just me at December 12, 2006 4:54 PM
um, gotta throw in a thumbs-up to the babe that played Sweet Pea in altman's Popeye.
Posted by: A.J. at December 12, 2006 4:54 PM
The main kid in "Millions". Fantastic. His interactions with the various saints is hilarious, and the rest of the movie is great.
Posted by: vanessa at December 12, 2006 4:58 PM
Whale Rider! Whale Rider! Whale Rider!
Posted by: gabrielle at December 12, 2006 5:28 PM
I second 'Millions'. Made my top ten for the year.
Russian film 'The Return' also has a couple of very good child performances.
Posted by: ginginio at December 12, 2006 5:31 PM
It's not one of my all time favorite films, but Georges Du Fresne who plays Ludovic in the film "Ma Vie En Rose" is just amazing and gives one of my favorite child performances. He plays a 7 year old that cross dresses, believes he is a girl and can't wait to grow up to be a woman and marry his neighbor - who is a boy. It's a remarkably brave and moving performance that elevates the film up from melodrama to a truly touching story. Even as a child, he could've taken the character into campy or over-the-top territory, but instead makes his belief that he is really a girl seem like the most natural thing in the world.
Posted by: Tallsonofagun at December 12, 2006 5:34 PM
mswas - Billy Elliot should get a special dispensation for including T.Rex - something all movies should do
Posted by: Brian at December 12, 2006 5:35 PM
thank god you mentioned the culkin boy in you can count on me. dont ever watch that movie with your girlfriend if you want to look like a tough guy.
also, whoever said leo dicaprio, he was almost 20 in whats eating gilbert grape, i believe.
Posted by: jordan at December 12, 2006 5:51 PM
I was thinking Whale Rider too, but I think the actor may have been 13 already when she played that role
Posted by: karina at December 12, 2006 6:03 PM
Natalie Portman in "The Professional"--
I remember being blown away by this girl holding her own playing Mathilda opposite Jean Reno playing Leon, The Cleaner.
She was 12 when she made it!!
Posted by: derekthered at December 12, 2006 6:04 PM
"also, whoever said leo dicaprio, he was almost 20 in whats eating gilbert grape, i believe."
That was me - I didn't read the rules. I'm a lawyer, so you can't expect me to abide by the fine print ;).
Seconding the girl in Whale Rider, regardless of her age. When her voice cracks when she says her performance is for her "greend-father" (LOVE the accent), it gets me every damn time.
Posted by: Samantha T at December 12, 2006 6:46 PM
hey, don't forget Nadine Nortier, i think she was younger than 13 when she played the title character in Robert Bresson's Mouchette.
She was awesome!
Posted by: mal at December 12, 2006 7:30 PM
Kirsten Dunst in "Interview with a Vampire". She was 12 when she made it, and she more than holds her own against Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise
Posted by: Malin at December 12, 2006 7:36 PM
I can't believe nobody's had any love for "Kids" yet.
Posted by: Justin at December 12, 2006 9:06 PM
Jake Lloyd singlehandedly destroyed the star wars universe, and raped my childhood.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 12, 2006 9:28 PM
I was hoping you'd mention Elijah Wood as well! He's been in some questionable movies (uhh, Flipper?), but he has always given amazing performances. I heart him.
Posted by: Bee at December 12, 2006 10:00 PM
What about all the kids in Nobody Knows? Japanese movie about four abandoned children. Amazing.
Posted by: sixfoottwenty at December 12, 2006 10:00 PM
"Ma Vie En Rose" is one of those movies that just broke my heart. It was so simple and heartbreaking--a very rare movie.
The kid in that was amazing.
Posted by: ecp at December 12, 2006 11:08 PM
How about the Oscar-nominated Quinn Cummings in "The Goodbye Girl". Some actors have one great role that comes along some time in their career--that was hers.
Also, Andrei Chalimon, the kid in Kolya. Those great big eyes will just break your heart.
And as far as Culkins go, the all-time best comedic childhood performance should go to Mac in "Uncle Buck"; he held his own with John freakin' Candy.
Posted by: Fignuisance at December 12, 2006 11:55 PM
Macaulay Culkin and Elijah Wood for "the Good Son".
Keisha Castle-Hughes for Whale Rider.
Shareeka Epps for Half Nelson.
Posted by: io at December 13, 2006 12:02 AM
Thank God someone mentioned "Ponette." I saw that movie in French class back in high school, and it was utterly heartbreaking. Believe me, you'll want to call your mother after seeing this movie. Victoire Thivisol was amazing. I almost didn't recognize her in "Chocolat."
I also think Elijah Wood should be up here. I don't care what anyone says about "Lord of the Rings" it stood as proof that he has grown into a fine actor, and I remember thinking he was good in "North"...a true crapfest of a film.
Props to you for adding Sean Nelson, who I loved in "The Wood". I haven't seen Fresh, but I'll take your word on it. He was in this mini series called "The Corner", (think of it as a prequel to The Wire)which was very depressing, but his performance was outstanding. I hope he gets more work in the future.
Posted by: Brie at December 13, 2006 12:07 AM
Miette and the little brother in City of Lost Children. Miette is, in my opinion, fabulous.
Ditto on Elijah Wood in Radio Flyer ("touch my nose...")
Ditto on Chunk ("Dead things, Mikey, dead things!")
Posted by: Iandi at December 13, 2006 12:11 AM
Chunk may have become a lawyer, but he did some acting in college. I was in a play with him and Golden Brooks from "girlfriends"... how's that for a craptacular claim to fame?
Posted by: k-poo at December 13, 2006 3:32 AM
Thanks for this list, John. It reminded me of some of my favorite child movie performances- Victoire Thivisol in Ponette was breathtaking.
And posters mentioned others that I loved-Lucas Haas in Witness and Elijah Wood in almost everything. Now I have a working list of movies I've missed or ones that need a second viewing after some time has passed. Tatum O'Neal has become such a huge pain these days that I forgot how amazing she was in Paper Moon-it's first on my list. And THAT was Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun? Cor Blimey!
Posted by: djo at December 13, 2006 8:57 AM
freddie highmore in finding neverland. a bit of a mush-fest, sure, but highmore is fantastic in that film and breaks my heart, and he was 12 when he made it. i think hes great in everything actually.
Posted by: Cheast at December 13, 2006 10:14 AM
Nathalie Portman, in 'Leon', as I wil always know it.
(I'm one of those bloody Europeans). I still want to marry her at that age..
That was Bayle????? Very cool, never noticed that.
Indeed one of the best of Steven's list.
Loved the kid in this one, but it's a dutch movie, so my gues is that about 3 americans maybe saw it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107331/
And John, thnx for showing the feelings at the end of Little Miss. I was sitting in the theatre exactly like that:
If they hurt her, i'm (gonna buy a planeticked) and kill them.
Slowly.
Like these lists.
Make one of the best SF p-p-please?
Posted by: Magiel at December 13, 2006 10:36 AM
Author's Note: Thanks for all the feedback so far.
Schroeder was great in The Champ. That barely missed the list. Same with Highmore in Finding Neverland. I thought Osment was fine in Sixth Sense, but a little mannered, too. He didn't blow me away. I've never seen The Piano, and even though Paquin might have been amazing in it, she bugs the hell out of me as an adult actor, so I don't feel too bad about leaving her off.
The end of In America knocked me out, too. That last scene had me...I don't know if a Pajiba contributor is supposed to say this...crying. Little Man Tate almost made it. That kid was really good. I haven't seen Hope and Glory or Pixote, which both sound great. To keep from embarrassing myself more specifically, I'll just say there are several others that have been mentioned that I've never seen, but that are now on my list (thanks).
As for Elijah Wood, I have two things to say: 1) I remember liking Radio Flyer, but haven't seen it in ages (I forgot that was him in it), and 2) I can't believe the two people who saw North happen to visit this site.
--John
Posted by: JMW at December 13, 2006 10:36 AM
I can't believe no one mentioned Lucas Black as Frank in Slingblade. That kid was dynamite in that movie. And that little southern accent was heartbreaking.
Also, the movie Without A Trace had a fab child actor, Daniel Corkill who played Alex Selky, the kidnapped kid.
Anyone for a little Danny Pintauro in Cujo? He did really well in that, I thought.
Oh, and Tina Majorino in When a Man Loves a Woman. She was so good in that!
Posted by: Helcat at December 13, 2006 10:48 AM
The 3 little girls in "Rabbit Proof Fence" were amazing. Though I'm not saying that they should have been on the list, they tore my heart out. Especially since (I believe) they are not really "professional" actresses or weren't at the time. If I remember correctly they did open calls for aboriginal girls and hit the jackpot with these 3. I especially remember how palpable the anger was for the older girl and how much I wanted to grab the youngest and hug her.
Posted by: Nicole at December 13, 2006 10:49 AM
The little boy in Bad Santa. A giant hole of goodness in, for my money, the darkest Xmas film. Ever.
Posted by: Laura at December 13, 2006 10:53 AM
No love for the kid in The Tin Drum?
Maybe I'm letting my love for the movie get in the way of judging his performance, but I remember liking it.
Also, how about the kid from Parents?
Posted by: imk at December 13, 2006 11:26 AM
Jena Malone (age 12 at the time) in Bastard Out of Carolina was amazing. I think some of it was the subject matter (sexual and physical abuse by father figure), but she was more than a prop. She played the conflicting emotional scenes with a force that made me wonder if she had been abused.
I also agree with Miete in City of Lost Children. That was fantastic.
Posted by: Lynnette at December 13, 2006 11:33 AM
Oh, yes, Rabbit Proof Fence was AMAZING! How could I forget that? 2nd or 3rd Quinn Cummings....Goodbye Girl (the original and ONLY the original) is still one of my favorite films. Yes also to Freddie Highmore. Hmmmm, trying to think of others....
Posted by: dammitjanet at December 13, 2006 11:57 AM
'Stand By Me' -- I'm not sure how old the actors were, but their performances always remind me of being a kid.
Posted by: angus at December 13, 2006 12:41 PM
Oh, God, thank you for including Max Pomeranc from Searching for Bobby Fischer! That's one of my favorite movies and I have always thought his performance was the best part of it-- he centered the movie completely, and all the adult characters are so on the periphery that it really could have been him and a chess set for 2 hours and I would have watched it over and over again.
Kudos too for your inclusion of Victoire Thivisol from Ponette. Stunning movie, and her performance is amazing-- can't believe she was only 4. I'm not a crier, but that one got a few sobs from me.
I'm also going to have to cast my vote for Natalie Portman in the Professional, though! I'm pretty sure she was 12 when she was in that one. She totally blew me away in that movie when I first saw it, and I was never able to forget her fierceness and totally believable grief.
Posted by: AnnArrogance at December 13, 2006 12:44 PM
Oh, yes! And Lucas Black, the girl from Whale Rider, the girl from The Secret of Roan Inish, the girls from Rabbit Proof Fence, and the two little Irish boys from Into the West.
Posted by: AnnArrogance at December 13, 2006 12:48 PM
"As for Elijah Wood, I have two things to say: 1) I remember liking Radio Flyer, but haven't seen it in ages (I forgot that was him in it), and 2) I can't believe the two people who saw North happen to visit this site.
--John"
Haha, make that the three people who saw North happen to visit this site. What can I say, I wanted to marry Elijah when I was a kid.
Oh, and because I'm in a sappy mood, I thought the little kid from "Love Actually" did a good job in that movie (don't know how old he is). Something about how he delivers the line "Worse than the total agony of being in love?" gets me every time.
Posted by: em at December 13, 2006 1:25 PM
Got all the way down to the bottom of the comments list before someone had mentioned the kid in Love Actually. That movie was a waste of several fine actors, but the kid made it bearable. The agony of being in love line is brilliant.
Now that I've ruined my anti-chick-flick cred...
I also agree with Miette in City of Lost Children, and I must mention The Sandlot, as a slew of awesome comic kids. You're killin' me Smalls!
Posted by: MG at December 13, 2006 1:56 PM
I'm probably the only person in the world who has seen the film "George Washington" (has nothing to do with the father of our country), but I nominate every damn kid in that fine film. They are all amauters (sp?) and it was their first and from what I can tell, only film. Hardly household names. But seriously. GET IT and watch it. It will blow you away. The kids are the central characters, adults are on the margins. But even the adults are amazing in this flick. It's set in South Carolina in the Reaganonmics 80s in a very poor little town. Revolves almost completely around the kids. Some of the most honest performances you could ever see.
Posted by: Kathy at December 13, 2006 2:49 PM
Author's Note: Kathy, I have seen George Washington, and loved it. Thanks for the reminder; I should re-watch that one.
Posted by: JMW at December 13, 2006 3:19 PM
Just remembered....Macauley Culkin, Angela Goethals and the other kids in "Rocket Gibraltar". Great movie, if you haven't seen it, I recommend it.
Posted by: dammitjanet at December 13, 2006 3:39 PM
Forgive me, I can't help myself:
The phrase is always "all right" and never "alright".
Pub. Note: Unless, of course, it's a direct homage to a Who song. And that period ought to go inside the quotes, GrammarGirl (unless you're a Brit).
Posted by: GrammarGirl at December 13, 2006 3:43 PM
Dammitjanet-
THAT'S the movie I was trying to think of! That movie is phenomenal and the kids are the best part of it...nothing better than a teeny Macauley Culkin!
Posted by: Helcat at December 13, 2006 3:47 PM
OK, I checked IMDB and Heather Matarazzo was 13 when she did "Welcome to the Dollhouse". Gotta give her some love for that performance.
Posted by: Chris at December 13, 2006 5:26 PM
I will second "The Tin Drum." Little David Bennent had to play Oskar at varying ages, which was a challenge. But I think he was actually 12 or maybe 13 when the movie was made, so he might not qualify for this list.
Posted by: Kris at December 13, 2006 5:44 PM
I totally agree with the Heather Matarazzo comment. when i was reading i was wondering how old she was.....she definately deserves the love.
Posted by: Lmo at December 13, 2006 6:24 PM
I thought Tina Majorino was excellent in When a Man Loves a Woman. And I may stand alone on this, but I thought Dakota Fanning was really good in I Am Sam.
Posted by: Beth at December 13, 2006 7:02 PM
Thank you for mentioning Empire Of The Sun. I saw this movie when I was a kid and it affected me deeply. As I was so young, though, I didn't really get all of it, but there were scenes that stuck with me for a long time.
When Christian Bale became famous as an adult, I started seeing this move show up again. I decided to buy it and see if it was any good now that I'm a few years older. I must say, that I was thoroughly impressed. The movie was oddly nostalgiac for me as well, I was seeing all the scenes I remembered from my childhood in context for what seemed like the first time.
Also, props for acknowledging Searching For Bobby Fisher, one of my all time favorite movies. Seriously, whenever this is on TV, I can't help but sit down and watch it again. Max Pomeranc's performance is absorbing, as is everything else about this movie.
Posted by: Carpe Pancakes! at December 13, 2006 9:21 PM
Honorable Mention at Least:
Natalie Portman- The Professional
Keisha Castle-Hughes- Whale Rider
Mac Culkin- The Good Son
Jaime Bell- Billy Elliot
Haley Joel Osment- Sixth Sense
Wil Wheaton/River Phoenix- Stand By Me
And I have to agree with everyone else about Elijah. He's like THE child actor. I'm glad Christian Bale is on here, even though it's not for "Newsies". What's not to like about adolescent boys dancing (wonderfully) without any shame? He's a performer.
And Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon" rocked. I saw alot of these while I was a kid...so maybe I need to watch them now that I'm older and wiser, get a different perspective.
Posted by: Sira-ha-ha at December 13, 2006 9:55 PM
what about The War it had a very young Elijah Wood as well as Lucas Black. I still remember all those kids planning attacks on each other.
Also The Cure with Joseph Mazzello and Brad Renfro (who was also in the Client)
Posted by: anna at December 13, 2006 10:53 PM
Oh! Raven Goodwin, from "Lovely and Amazing" and "The Station Agent." Adore her.
Posted by: Sam G at December 13, 2006 11:54 PM
thank God people still remember goonies! i love that movie so much but my friends don't have a clue about it!
Posted by: jan_is at December 14, 2006 12:17 AM
Corey Haim in Lucas
what was the movie with a character "veda" as the young girl and Macauly Culkin, Jamie Lee Curtis.
Posted by: Rebekah at December 14, 2006 12:30 AM
Rebekah: You're thinking of "My Girl" and I'm getting choked up right now just thinking of the funeral scene. ("Where's his glasses?! He needs his glasses!")
Posted by: Angel H. at December 14, 2006 12:43 AM
Yes! That's it. That scene is spot on tears for me too. Thank you.
Posted by: Rebekah at December 14, 2006 12:57 AM
LUCAS BLACK in Slingblade!! Loved that movie and thought he was amazing. What was the supernaturally based tv show he was in a few years prior to that where he faced off against evil forces and held his own? Incredible gravitas as a young kid.
This is a great thread--
Posted by: djo at December 14, 2006 9:27 AM
I'd like to second Angus' nomination of the kids in Stand By Me, but only Jerry O'Connell was young enough to meet the age restrictions. He was pretty great as Vern.
Also, I hate to be picky, but grammar's my job, and I'm sick sick sick of "alright." It's all right. Alright is alwrong!
Posted by: idgiepug at December 14, 2006 9:33 AM
Thanks for reminding me, Carpe Pancakes, I meant to give props for Bobby Fisher. What a great, great show that is.
Posted by: Eep at December 14, 2006 9:51 AM
Votes here for the Thurman Merman kid in Bad Santa, Heather Matarazzo in WTTDH, Elijah Wood, Danny in The Shining, and that kid who was in The Ring.
Posted by: VG at December 14, 2006 10:09 AM
Not sure if anyone has responded to the comment about the kid who played Gage Creed from "Pet Sematary" . . . his name is Miko Hughes. And if you think he was good in "Pet Sematary," you definitely have to check him out in "Jack the Bear" (1993) with Danny DeVito. (And it's not what you would expect when you think of Danny DeVito!) It is an amazing, disturbing, haunting, yet uplifting movie.
And thank you for mentioning "Ponette." I saw it years ago and could not remember the name of it to save my soul!
One more movie to throw out there: "Paradise." (1991)Yeah, the movie wasn't exactly oscar-worthy (the adult stars were Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson if that helps put it in perspective), but Elijah Wood and Thora Birch were about 8 or 9 years old, and they were both amazing in that movie.
Posted by: Helen Skor at December 14, 2006 10:20 AM
"I can't believe the two people who saw North happen to visit this site.
"
Make it four people:
"We had a son
Got trampled by a ton
Of Longhoooooooooorn!
You're here, Cutes
To fill in his boots
As flat as they may be!"
Posted by: Craig at December 14, 2006 10:52 AM
Couple of things.
1. Just finishing watching the Corner last night (Thank You Netflix). Got it after watching the Extras on Wire Season 3 DVDs where David Simon was talking about it. Sean Nelson was great in it. Was IMDBing the cast and one of the pictures listed for him is a still from Fresh.
2. The Tom Snyder DVD set "The Tomorrow Show - Punk & New Wave" is two discs of Tom Snyder interviewing Punk acts + live performaces. Acts such as Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop, the Plasmatics, a round table with Joan Jett and others. What is really cool (or weird) is that it has the full episodes which include an interview with a 10 year old Ricky Schroeder.
http://www.amazon.com/Tomorrow-Show-Punk-New-Wave/dp/B000BTD91W/sr=1-2/qid=1166111857/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-3612721-4309756?ie=UTF8&s=dvd
Posted by: Brian at December 14, 2006 11:01 AM
I vote for the children in The Others. They were able to play opposite Nicole Kidman having a breakdown while still more than holding their own.
Posted by: Kate at December 14, 2006 11:09 AM
Completely agree with Rocket Gibraltar. All the kids give smart, subtle performances.
I think one of the greatest performances by a kid is in one of the best movies ever made, Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows. The final scene on the beach destroys me every time.
Posted by: Krishna at December 14, 2006 11:41 AM
Michael Angarano was pretty good in Almost Famous. I love the scene where he's saying goodbye to his older sister's boyfriend and trying to be cool and ends up saying "man" a whole bunch of times.
Posted by: Eep at December 14, 2006 12:29 PM
The two children in THE OTHERS were incredible, I forgot about them.
I love Christina Ricci in THE ICE STORM. A true portrait of an adolescent. All of the kids in that movie were amazing, although I don't know if all of them were under 18 at the time. I doubt Tobey was under 18, but I know Ricci was.
The kids in MEAN CREEK are amazing. If there was any justice, that girl, Carly Schroeder, would be getting all the roles that go to the pseudo prodigy, Dakota Fanning. All she knows about playing a kid is what she's seen in other movies. I swear she was born in some Hollywood marketing lab.
Posted by: Andrew at December 14, 2006 12:36 PM
I propose for a "Where Are They Now?" analysis of this list. If someone has already suggested this then I give my apologies.
Posted by: BLA at December 14, 2006 12:56 PM
This is older - but who can forget the
little boy in CINEMA PARADISO - Salvatore
Cascio (Thank you IMDB) -
Posted by: roseola at December 14, 2006 1:40 PM
Andrew, per IMDB, all are still acting except Eadie and Pomeranc. The latter went to Bronx Science and is now a student at McGill, where he's on the baseball team. No idea about the former.
Posted by: Krishna at December 14, 2006 2:10 PM
I nominate the children in The Others, Haley Joel Osment in the Sixth Sense, and the girls in Rabbit-Proof Fence. I also second the nomination for Nobody Knows. The entire film rests on the shoulders of four children and they all did an incredible job.
Posted by: Mouse at December 14, 2006 2:31 PM
Again, the "alright" is an homage to the greatest band in the world, the Who, so get over it.
The show Lucas Black was on was "American Gothic," created by none other than former teen sensation, Shaun Cassidy!! It also starred Sarah Paulsen. My boyfriend and I can never remember her name, so whenever we see her, we just say, "someone's at the door....someone's at the door....." Gary Cole was uber-creepy in that. Loved it!!
Props to ANYTHING Christina Ricci did.....she IS Wednesday Addams!!!!
Posted by: dammitjanet at December 14, 2006 3:34 PM
Thanks for adding the kid from "About A Boy". That movie is easily the best of Hugh Grant's career. The boy is fabulous in their scenes together. I adore him.
What about the little girl from "I am Sam"? She was pretty impressive.
I alos echo the Natalie Portman/Professional love.
Posted by: Mel at December 14, 2006 4:48 PM
I vote for Giorgio Cantarini, a.k.a. the kid in Life is Beautiful. I guess the role never required him to be a particularly sophisticated child actor, but that face—that sad, adorable little face!
Also, the kid in Pet Sematary was creepy as hell: "No fair, Daddy, no fair!" Same goes for the kid in The Shining: Hearing him say "Danny isn't here, Mrs. Torrance" creeps me out every time.
Posted by: Becca at December 14, 2006 7:19 PM
I third the David Bennent love, but Bennent was indeed 13 when he made the Tin Drum, or at least, he was 13 upon the time of its release. Still, great performance! It's one of the few that has actually stuck with me for years after seeing a film.
Posted by: Leilani at December 14, 2006 7:21 PM
Quinn Cummings in "The Goodbye Girl".
Posted by: JS at December 14, 2006 8:13 PM
Why someone hasn't hired Anne Ramsey (RATCATCHER) to direct LOVELY BONES is freakin' beyond me.
Give her the money; walk away; allow her to work her magic.
I can think of no other director who wouldn't ruin that story on the big screen.
Posted by: eroslane at December 14, 2006 8:56 PM
I'm so happy you included Fresh on the list. Such a good film. The last scene gets me every time.
Posted by: kayla at December 15, 2006 12:22 AM
Thank you to those who mentioned "Ma Vie en Rose" and "Koyla". I had forgotten how much I loved those two movies, even though "Koyla" reduced me to big, wet, sloppy tears.
Posted by: woollies at December 15, 2006 1:10 AM
Aw man, I forgot about Kirsten Dunst.
Come on! That was the best she's ever been! How can she not be on here? She outshone that entire cast (despite the fact that was like what, last? in the credits), she was excellent. Come on, creepy little woman-child vampire. You gotta love it.
Posted by: Sira-ha-ha at December 15, 2006 1:14 AM
I know that I'm late to the game on this one, but I cannot begin to express my gratefulness for someone giving mad props to two pictures that I particularly heart, "Empire of the Sun" and "About A Boy." "Empire..." was the beginning of my huge crush on Christian Bale which was continued by him dancing and singing rather nicely in "Newsies" and was culminated while watching him hack people to pieces and have some crazy sex in "American Psycho." Bale has always been brilliant in everything. The man could sing and dance while killing people in a Japanese concentration camp and make it work (obviously, I hope a film like this never happens). Also, when the kid in "About A Boy" kills the goose with the brick of bread and sings for the talent show it makes me laugh every time.
One final thing..."Sloth, love Chunk!" That movie harkens back some good memories.
Posted by: Gigi Worthington at December 15, 2006 4:20 AM
that little insolent boy opposite ellen burstin in alice doesn't live here anymore by marty scorsese. his name is billy green bush and the vociferously funny dialogues with his burstin mom are incomparable....
Posted by: Sophie at December 15, 2006 7:24 AM
Main character in Leolo (Italian film).
Posted by: Maria at December 15, 2006 10:51 AM
Two criminally overlooked-
"Ralphie" / A Christmas Story
"Charlie" / Original Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Agreed re young mannequin skywalker... this child should have been taken behind the studio and shot in the head.
Posted by: Gmoff Tarkin at December 15, 2006 11:32 AM
Two criminally overlooked-
"Ralphie" / A Christmas Story
"Charlie" / Original Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Agreed re young mannequin skywalker... this child should have been taken behind the studio and shot in the face.
Posted by: Gmoff Tarkin at December 15, 2006 11:37 AM
Definately the kid in Cinema Paridiso. He was simply outstanding. Beautiful movie
Posted by: Sharn at December 15, 2006 1:29 PM
'Why someone hasn't hired Anne Ramsey (RATCATCHER) to direct LOVELY BONES is freakin' beyond me.
Give her the money; walk away; allow her to work her magic.
I can think of no other director who wouldn't ruin that story on the big screen.'
Ersolane, I think she was attached to the project at one time, but now it's supposed to be Peter Jackson or someone. I read about that last part in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, I think.
Posted by: Andrew at December 15, 2006 2:09 PM
Adam Hann-Byrd as "Little Man Tate"
Drew Barrymore in "Irreconcilable Differences"
Ross Harris in "Testament"
Corey Haim as "Lucas"
Quinn Cummings in "Goodbye Girl"
Kevin Hooks in "Sounder"
Jodie Foster in "Taxi Driver" & "The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane"
Dakota Fanning in almost everything. I'm sorry, that kid is amazing -- makes a lot of otherwise crappy flicks watchable. She was a riveting kidnapping victim in a flick called "Trapped" with Charlize Theron as her mom and was the only element of the miniseries "Taken" I bought.
Oh & btw: that clip of Tatum from "Paper Moon" taken out of context almost looks like softcore kiddie porn. I prefer the ones where she's asserting herself : "I....want....my....two hundred dollah!"
Posted by: Matt at December 15, 2006 8:42 PM
AnnArrogance! You mentioned Into the West, which was one of my suggestions, too! :D I LOVED those boys.
I am also jumping onto the Natalie Portman "The Professional" bandwagon. I'm only a couple of years older than her, and I remember seeing that movie for the first time on tape and going, 'I am in love with that girl'. Because of that movie, Natalie can do NO WRONG in my eyes. :D (I blame Lucas and Christiansen for her 'performance' in the SW films)
Last, there was this little schmaltzy Disney Christmas movie called 'One Magic Christmas' and the little girl who plays Abby is just awesome. I have no idea who she is/was. There's this one line where the kids are being given some bad news by their mother and Abby says this one line (omitted for spoilers) and I lose it every freakin time.
...Awesome article. :)
Posted by: Divinebird Jenny at December 16, 2006 12:27 AM
This isn't really a performance carried by a child, and lots of people might not even remember it, but I have always LOVED the little girl who plays Beatrix(Uma) and Bill's daughter in Kill Bill 2. Her naturalness with the dialogue is so fun to watch, it's very real. And I actually preferred Abigail Breslin in 'Signs' to 'Little Miss Sunshine'. Her part in Signs wasn't very big, but I loved her innocent, childish fear. I think she will be an incredible adult actor too.
Posted by: JJ at December 16, 2006 4:16 AM
One of the latest movies for kids is "Charlotte's Web" ( http://www.huliq.com/1855/charlottes-web-a-movie-with-talking-animals ). It is a very cute story about talking animals, which fill kids with optimism and kindness.
Posted by: Emily at December 16, 2006 8:07 AM
More props to:
Thora Birch, Kirsten Dunst, Keisha Castle-Hughes and Lucas Black. First noticed him in American Gothic (which was indeed awesome and canceled far too soon), he was great there and in Sling Blade, too. And how can you not cry when Castle-Hughes is doing her thing towards the end of the movie?
"Empire of the Sun" is a great film, Bale or no Bale, but yeah, he was excellent in it. And can't argue with Tatum O'Neal. She's pretty entertaining in everything.
The kid from About a Boy, both hilarious and heartbreaking.
The kid in Bad Santa. He had the unenviable task of playing against the great Billy Bob Thornton, plus he was overweight and had a blonde 'fro. Still, by the end of the movie, you're totally on his side.
I haven't seen a lot of the mentioned performances. Gonna have to work on that.
Posted by: LL at December 17, 2006 12:26 AM
Not sure if anyone's seen the Indian film Water, but the little girl in it will break your heart she's so good.
Another vote for Corey Haim in Lucas. What a shame how he turned out.
Posted by: eileen at December 17, 2006 7:20 PM
Regarding the Elijah Wood movie North- now it makes 5. Man, that movie was terrible.
But, to quote a poster farther up, "What can I say, I wanted to marry Elijah when I was a kid."
Posted by: em at December 13, 2006 01:25 PM
Me, too, em. Me, too.
Also- I second (third?) the mention of the kid in Love Actually. He is brilliant.
And kudos, John, for having the kid from About a Boy on your list.
Posted by: Leigh at December 17, 2006 9:12 PM
You Can Count On Me is the film that makes me despise Mark Ruffalo. He is so beautiful and subtle and great in it, and then he goes on and makes crass, Hollywood bullshit like Just Like Heaven - NONSENSE. It breaks my heart.
Posted by: Ali at December 17, 2006 11:03 PM
I have to agree that the two little girls in In Amercia make me bawl everytime. Especially the youngest one. I just wanted to take her home, but she wasn't over-the-top look how cute I am, watch me steal the show like I think some child actors are. Plus, she actually acted like a CHILD. So many directors seem to think giving a child all these precocious lines and having them memorize them gives the child the air of having great, preternatural insight, when really it always rings false and creepy. The littlest girl saw the harsh reality of her hard life, commented on it occasionally, but mostly played and let the grown-ups work out the tough stuff.
And now...I'm about to cry again. That movie was so underrated.
Posted by: Brianne at December 18, 2006 1:01 PM
"You Can Count On Me is the film that makes me despise Mark Ruffalo. He is so beautiful and subtle and great in it, and then he goes on and makes crass, Hollywood bullshit like Just Like Heaven - NONSENSE. It breaks my heart."
But he was in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, We Don't Live Here Anymore, etc. He's not entirely lost!
Ruffalo is an interesting guy - I'm a HUGE fan. I feel, though, that there's not much of a place in Hollywood for the handsome-but-non-heartthrob, serious-but-not-pretentious, talented-but-not-scenery-chewing kind of actor. I can't really see Ruffalo as the protagonist in a huge blockbuster, but I'm sure he is trying to make as much money as possible without *destroying* his reputation.
My husband and I went to see Just Like Heaven (long story - it was AWFUL) and the only enjoyable thing about it was Mark R. because he looked SO out of place in the movie.
Posted by: Samantha T at December 18, 2006 2:12 PM
A vote for Owen Kline -- the younger brother in The Squid and the Whale.
Posted by: Jeremy at December 18, 2006 9:52 PM
Here's to you, John Williams. Finally, FINALLY, I have found some people who think "Empire of the Sun" is Spielberg's best movie. (Salutes!)
No sentimentality (have to differ with you about the last half hour; it was just reality.) Spielberg dared more than he ever did, or he is likely to do again. For example, how could one not be impressed by the scene where the put-upon Chinese nurse gets to slap the poor, spoiled boy silly?
"And there's Eamonn Owens, who gave The Butcher Boy true lunacy."
Sad to see we're the only ones, mike, because Eamonn's performance easily rivals Christian's. Please, before anyone votes for Corey Haim or Dakota Fanning again, rent this film and see what I mean.
The only better performance is the boy that plays Eamonn's best friend -- his name escapes me. His character grows from childish naivete to profound knowledge. It is stunning, and I predict a Bale-like adult career.
Posted by: Janis at December 18, 2006 11:40 PM
The red headed kid in "Big" was fabulous--very minor, supporting role, but I would totally have watched a movie only about him. Agree with Portman in Leon and kid from Hope and Glory--a must see awesome movie. The kids in Signs were terrific, much better than the adult actors except Cherry Jones. This post is making an excellent Netflix list, so ty!
Posted by: Meg at December 20, 2006 10:25 PM
I was going through the comments for a while, not believing that no one had mentioned Alexander Nathan Etel who played damian in Millions. I'm glad some people did. He was 10 at the time, so he fits well within the age range.
I was suprised at the omission of Elijah Wood as well. I've always thought well of his acting.
Posted by: Camille at December 23, 2006 12:18 AM
Victoire Thivisol is probably one of the top child stars in the world, talent-wise. That good at the age of four makes me wonder why she's not more prominent in France or internationally.
I have to agree on Natalie Portman in The Professional. I maintain that's been her best role in her career.
Keisha Castle-Hughes in Whale Rider, the Bolger sisters in In America, Anna Paquin in The Piano, and Geun-Young Moon in A Tale of Two Sisters are also my favorite child star performances.
And yes, Dakota Fanning in I Am Sam. She's kind of creepy, but she's talented.
Rio Kanno in the original Dark Water is also a terrific actress.
Maybe there ought to be a sequel to this list....
Posted by: EMTQueen at December 23, 2006 4:15 PM
OLIVER ROBINS as Robbie Freeling, and HEATHER O'ROURKE as Carol Anne Freeling in the 1982 classic POLTERGEIST. Their performances authentically portray the mix of innocence, cockiness, uncertainty and wonder that predominates childhood. And when things get seriously scary and the child-actors have to ratchet up their horror, they do not disappoint in the extent--or believability--of their reactions.
Posted by: Steven at January 1, 2007 6:15 PM
What about the kid in JUDE? He was truly creepy and his performance made what happened at the end seem plausible.
Posted by: Rara at January 3, 2007 9:19 PM
How come no one has mentioned the boy in "Unstrung Heros?" (I think that's the name - Andie MacDowell slowly dies of something, and her son goes to stay with his eccentric uncles, one of whom is played by Michael Kramer.)
Posted by: Mary K. at January 5, 2007 8:23 AM
How about the Oscar-nominated Quinn Cummings in "The Goodbye Girl".
Yes indeed!! She was amazing. God I love that movie.
How about Gaby Hoffman from Field of Dreams?
Ross Malinger from Sleepless in Seattle. (Also with added Gaby Hoffman.)
I also agree with listing Miko Hughes from Pet Sematary, and also the little girl who played his sister, Blaze Berdahl.
Posted by: Loob at January 7, 2007 3:50 PM
Wil Wheaton was wonderful in The Buddy System with Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon.
Stand By Me goes without saying. :)
Posted by: Loob at January 8, 2007 1:48 AM
I agree, Rio Kanno was amazing in Dark Water.
A wonderful actress and possibly the cutest child on earth.
Posted by: Loob at January 8, 2007 2:01 AM
Joaquin Phoenix (I believe he was listed as Rain then) in 'Parenthood' as the tortured boy who has no dad and is struggling with pubescence and can't bring himself to talk to his angry newly single mother (Dianne Wiest)....
Natalie Portman in 'Leon' (The Professional)
Thurman Murman from 'Bad Santa' - utterly deeeeeevine find, that boy, but only for that role.
Freddie in 'Finding Neverland' and 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory', I hope he remains normal and un-Hollywooded.
Abigail in 'Little Miss' is incredible, I normally can't stand movies with boofy haired kids doing their schmaltzy ands trite thing, but she is stunning, you cannot take your eyes off of her.
Posted by: Smartie at January 15, 2007 10:12 PM
...until Haley Joel Osment got zits, he didn't give a performence that wasn't credible, but while sixth sense was superb, Pay it Forward really showed some range as a young actor opposite two oscar winners, Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey... he needed a definite mention, as did Elijah Wood...and Lukas Hass---Witness, anyone? And The Good Son brought in two great performances---Elijah Wood and McCauley Culkin--- to echo Ciji, never have i wanted to see a kid thrown off a cliff so badly in my life---and i've done a lot of babysitting...
Posted by: iAMtheCAT at January 16, 2007 12:29 PM
...the baby who "played" Swee'pea was Robert Altman's grandson. ITA w/ Tatum: what a great performance! that kid who played in "My Girl" opposite McCauley Culkin is painfully annoying, as is Dakota Fanning, Emily Brown (Ghost Ship/Lemony Snickets), Haley Joel Osmond (and he's damn fugly now, check out his mug-shot on Smoking Gun). BTW, if you've ever seen the SNL w/ McCauley hosting, you know he's a pretty quick study, I think his parents screwed things up royally for him, as he is obviously talented. I don't know how old he was, but Mathhew Broderick in Max Dugan Returns was a natural (seems as though he was born with impeccable comedic timing). Both little boys in Terms of Endearment held their own against an a-list cast. Lots of talented kids out there, again DF and the coma-inducing "Pepsi-girl" are not two of them...
Posted by: malvolio at January 21, 2007 9:59 PM
...forgot to mention Ann Blyth in Mildred Pierce -- "It means brilliant waltz, mother" (although, I'm not sure how old she was, she was just great). Jonathan Lipnicki who was, besides CGJ, the only reason to watch Jerry Maguire. The two boys from a litlle known movie called "The Kidnappers." the actor who played the younger sister to Kate Hepburn in the Philidelphia Story...
Posted by: malvolio at January 21, 2007 10:22 PM
The little girl who played Bernice in "Hope Floats." Can't remember her name, but when she is running after her father as he drives away, crying that she wants to go and live with him, it just breaks my heart every time.
Posted by: Dana at February 10, 2007 2:07 PM
The lil' guy who played G-baby in Hardball.
Posted by: Me at February 14, 2007 10:28 PM
The little kiddos in The Night of the Hunter...
Posted by: Mattfactor at February 23, 2007 12:54 PM
It's popular to bash Spielberg. I always found that those who wax about Hitchcock's genius like to bash him. Me? I'm not keen for Hitchcock (no comment about his ability is innate in this comment) and I love Spielberg. Let the bashing commence, I'm sure I will momentarily be accused of paying good money to feed Cameron Diaz and Julia Roberts's careers.
I continue to love Spielberg (at least, I love what he once was, pre-AI) and I have to say that the man has an uncanny ability to direct children. Perhaps the variety of child performances in his movies is not astounding (even in the films about kids which he merely produced, you could see that 'wide-eyed wonderment' stamp) but that is an aspect of childhood which I remember more and more fondly, the further I find it slipping away.
Elijah Wood-- well I have to say, I always felt his child roles came across as some adult directing a child on how to act like a child. Currently, however, all that springs to mind is 'Radio Flyer', which is a sweet movie but I wouldn't call it outstanding.
The first thing I ever saw Leo in was 'What's eating Gilbert Grape', and while I thought he was awesome in it (I've been paying attention to him ever since) I believe he was 13 or 14 at the time?
I don't agree that children are simply adults minus the experience. I remember the way I felt and thought as a child, and I can look around me at the children I encounter-- and one thing is clear-- kids take themselves VERY seriously, but they never come across as competent preternaturally wise know-it-alls. Whether they're role-playing Bratz fashion emergencies or inventing murder scenes in their Barbie's Dreamhouse, they're more complex than most people want to give them credit for-- but they're not miniature adults. They have the power to believe in things and to invent realities that most adults I know have left far behind. And, with the vague memories of what an adult recalls childhood to be, fleeing in the face of tax returns, the commute, and Internet Blog comments, adults tend to idealize childhood. So in movies, we often see idealized versions of children.
With Spielberg, I have always felt that he managed to utilize a child's own fantasies in their performance. Elliot, in 'E.T.' for example. Having watched this movie for the first time when I was about 3 or 4 years old (and although I thought ET was a child alien that had been abandoned by his parents, I understood the movie very well), I believe I am qualified to look at it and say, "Yes! That is what a kid acts like!" Look at the kids (who had brief scenes admittedly) in 'Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind'. "There's a fly in my mashed potatoes!" or their anger, desperation, and confusion in the face of their father's bizarre behavior, (I will never forget the scene where Roy and Ronnie are having a terrible fight and their children begin acting out) or the little boy, Toby, waking up to see his toys inexplicably playing by themselves, his lack of fear and innocent curiosity. I grew up watching these movies, as soon as I could fathom the use of the VCR, and I have never seen better performances by children that quite captured what it is to be a child. they reminded me of me, and even moreso, of my brother.
Posted by: Ari at March 14, 2007 6:58 PM
The Bolger sisters from "In America" aren't on this list... why not?
Posted by: The Maljax at March 16, 2007 11:32 PM
"The Bolger sisters from "In America" aren't on this list... why not?"
I strongly second that.
Also, as noted several times, Natalie Portman in "The Professional" has made me soft-hearted more than a one time.
Posted by: Gargumma at March 24, 2007 2:38 AM
Thanks for mentioning Tatum O'Neal. She was absolutely extraordinary in Paper Moon - way too few people remember that film.
Posted by: Rocky at March 29, 2007 1:18 AM
There were a few kids in the School of Rock that were quite good as well namely the one that had no musical talent so had to be the manager and the soul singer.
And of course any of the kids of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory I mean, that's freaking a classic to me.
The girl from "My Girl" was okay too.
It's funny, I can actually name more memorable children performances than adult performances.
OH how could I forget the son from "Life is Beautiful".
Posted by: Andrew831 at April 3, 2007 10:19 PM
Rebecca Harrell in "Prancer".
Posted by: Kim at April 6, 2007 4:10 PM
you made some good choices...can't believe you left out dakota fanning in "i am sam"...she was absolutely amazing.
Posted by: kase at April 25, 2007 10:45 AM
oh...DEFINITELY elijah wood in radio flyer...and the kid that plays his little brother too. god that movie is great.
Posted by: kase at April 25, 2007 10:50 AM
I always thought the kids in The Goonies did a terrific job (and that's not just because I was 10 years old and desperately in love with the dirtier half of the Coreys.) I just thought there was such an easiness to their dialogue, to the way they goofed on each other as only pre-teen boys can (and the Truffle Shuffle by a chubby kid in a Hawaiian shirt AND plaid pants? Outstanding.)
Posted by: Sandra at May 6, 2007 2:41 PM
The young boy who played Ahmed in the Iranian film "Where is the Friend's Home" is a little known yet astonishing performance.
Posted by: Josh at May 13, 2007 1:21 PM
