I have to admit that my expectations were great for this movie. I spent an eternity looking for it on the net and found it in a not-so-good quality. But I have to say it was worth all effort, and made my evening pleasantly light.
The story is in my opinion highly applicable even now. The "mature" teenagers that refuse to live the life that is given to them and jump from pond to pond like tadpoles that don't know their place. Besides, gives ground for very good, innocent humor. This is one of "Tadpole"'s most attractive qualities.
The acting, needless to say, is a bouquet of flavors bound to suit the bigger part of the audience. The ladies of the movie are astonishing. Sigourney Weaver, with a slightly classy, slightly playful, slightly dramatic air around her makes her every reaction pleasurable. Bebe Neuwirth, on the other hand, is exquisite in her act as the seducer, the naughty middle-aged who likes to play around.
For me, however, the debut of Aaron Stanford could not have been a better choice. His role was honest, childish, and playing around the poles. Between his disinterest for ignorant teenage girls and childlike attraction for older, more mature women, he is downright brilliant. An adorable role, and the actor does it much justice.
The fact that the movie is short helps the plot, it does not allow it to become overly heavy and somber, lets it play along the edges. The subtlety in the more... tense scenes makes up for the charming character of the movie.
And even if you think that the notion of the movie is not much to your liking, let me remind the last and key quote mentioned in it:
If we don't find anything pleasant, at least we shall find something new.
7/10
The story is in my opinion highly applicable even now. The "mature" teenagers that refuse to live the life that is given to them and jump from pond to pond like tadpoles that don't know their place. Besides, gives ground for very good, innocent humor. This is one of "Tadpole"'s most attractive qualities.
The acting, needless to say, is a bouquet of flavors bound to suit the bigger part of the audience. The ladies of the movie are astonishing. Sigourney Weaver, with a slightly classy, slightly playful, slightly dramatic air around her makes her every reaction pleasurable. Bebe Neuwirth, on the other hand, is exquisite in her act as the seducer, the naughty middle-aged who likes to play around.
For me, however, the debut of Aaron Stanford could not have been a better choice. His role was honest, childish, and playing around the poles. Between his disinterest for ignorant teenage girls and childlike attraction for older, more mature women, he is downright brilliant. An adorable role, and the actor does it much justice.
The fact that the movie is short helps the plot, it does not allow it to become overly heavy and somber, lets it play along the edges. The subtlety in the more... tense scenes makes up for the charming character of the movie.
And even if you think that the notion of the movie is not much to your liking, let me remind the last and key quote mentioned in it:
If we don't find anything pleasant, at least we shall find something new.
7/10