Grade: B-
Author: Billy Madden
“Little,” similar to Tom Hanks’ “Big” in the title and premise, tells a unique tale beyond the apparent gender reversal. The narrative centers around Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall), a successful yet tyrannical businesswoman known for mistreating employees, particularly her assistant, April Williams (Issa Rae). An encounter with a young girl with a penchant for magic results in Sanders’ transformation back to her youth when she was bullied. Sanders reawakens as her younger self (Marsai Martin), setting her on a path to confront her harsh reality.
“Little” delivers a delightful balance of comedy and reflection in its nearly two-hour runtime. Predictable yet entertaining, it treats audiences to hilarious moments, such as the young Sanders trying to seduce an adult or attempting to drive her car. The film also sparks introspection, stirring up memories of childhood wrongdoings. Sanders’ transformation from a victim to a tormentor, blinded by wealth and power, mirrors the negative impacts of unchecked success. Her return to childhood serves as a much-needed wake-up call.
Young talent shines in “Little.” Marsai Martin, in particular, steals the spotlight. She flawlessly mimics Regina Hall’s mannerisms, bringing authenticity to the younger Jordan Sanders. Martin’s perfect portrayal is a testimony to the blossoming talent of our times.
While “Little” succeeds in eliciting laughs and fostering reflection, it does fall prey to substantial plot holes. The most notable is the film’s failure to explain how the young magician gains her transformational power. Other story points also falter, leading to a somewhat disjointed narrative. Some plotlines could benefit from better writing, which becomes apparent while watching the film.
To summarize, “Little” offers an enjoyable escape from reality and a gentle nudge toward introspection. It’s an entertaining journey into the past, reminding us of the importance of kindness and empathy, irrespective of our status in life.
MOVIE INFO
Jordan is a take-no-prisoners tech mogul who torments her long-suffering assistant, April, and the rest of her employees daily. She soon faces an unexpected threat to her personal life and career when she magically transforms into a 13-year-old version of herself right before a do-or-die presentation. Jordan will now need to rely on April more than ever — if April is willing to stop treating Jordan like a 13-year-old child with an attitude problem.
- Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive Content)
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
- Original Language: English
- Director: Tina Gordon
- Producer: Will Packer, Kenya Barris, James Lopez
- Writer: Tracy Oliver, Tina Gordon
- Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 2019, Wide
- Release Date (Streaming): Jun 25, 2019
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Distributor: Universal Pictures
- Production Co: Will Packer Productions
- Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)