Little Manhattan Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A ten-year-old karate kid falls for an eleven-year-old girl while his parents try to figure out if they still like each other, all during one very confusing summer in Manhattan.

🍿 Little Manhattan: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Gabe’s Discovery of Love

Ten-year-old Gabe lives in Manhattan with his parents, who are on the verge of a divorce. He spends his days exploring the city on his scooter. One day, in karate class, Gabe suddenly notices Rosemary, a girl he’s known since kindergarten, in a new light. He’s smitten, and a whirlwind of first love emotions consume him.

Exploring the City and First Love

Gabe and Rosemary start spending time together, exploring Central Park and even venturing into Greenwich Village. Gabe is completely enamored with Rosemary and her seemingly perfect life. Their adventures bring them closer, but also highlight the differences in their backgrounds and futures. He even defends Rosemary from a bully using his newly acquired karate skills.

Jealousy and Separation

Gabe’s world is turned upside down when Rosemary is assigned a new sparring partner in karate class. Overcome with jealousy, Gabe tries to win back Rosemary’s attention, but his efforts backfire. Rosemary reveals she’s leaving for summer camp and will attend private school in the fall, further widening the gap between them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gabe (Josh Hutcherson): A ten-year-old boy experiencing his first love while navigating his parents’ impending divorce.
• Rosemary (Charlotte Ray Rosenberg): An eleven-year-old girl who captures Gabe’s heart as they navigate karate class and the complexities of growing up.
• Adam (Bradley Whitford): Gabe’s father, who is going through a divorce and tries to connect with his son.
• Leslie (Cynthia Nixon): Gabe’s mother, who is separated from Adam but still living with him and Gabe.
• Master Coles (J. Kyle Manzay): The karate instructor who guides Gabe and Rosemary, indirectly influencing their relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gabe: “There comes a moment in everyone’s life when everything changes, and life is never the same again.” – Opening narration, setting the tone for a transformative summer.
• Gabe: “Love is not about ridiculous little words. Love is about grand gestures.” – Gabe’s evolving understanding of love and its expression.
• Gabe: “Nothing is as big as your first love.” – Reflecting on the significance and impact of his first love experience.
• Gabe: “It only lasted two weeks, but when you’re 11 years old, it could be a lifetime.” – Emphasizing the intensity and extended feeling of time during childhood romance.
• Gabe: “The truth is, there’s gonna be other girls out there. I mean, I hope. But I’m never gonna get another first love. That one is always gonna be her.” – Gabe realizes the uniqueness of first love despite understanding there will be future relationships.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10 million
• Domestic Gross: $385,373
• Worldwide Gross: $1,254,005

💥 Little Manhattan Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Little Manhattan’! It took me back to the awkwardness and excitement of first love. Josh Hutcherson and Charlie Ray were so believable as Gabe and Rosemary, and the movie beautifully captured the magic of New York City. The scene where they first hold hands at the jazz concert gave me butterflies. I’ll definitely be watching this one again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Viewers who appreciate heartwarming romantic comedies”
  • “Those who enjoy movies set in New York City”
  • “Families looking for a clean and engaging film”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief mild language”
  • “Deals with the topic of divorce”
  • “No explicit content”

Professional Reviews

• Hollywood Reporter: “Charming and sweet, ‘Little Manhattan’ offers a refreshing take on first love with genuine performances from its young leads. It avoids clichés and captures the awkwardness and joy of childhood romance.
• Variety: “Though slight, ‘Little Manhattan’ benefits from its clever script and the palpable chemistry between Josh Hutcherson and Charlie Ray. It’s a feel-good movie that’s perfect for the whole family.
• New York Times: “A delightful coming-of-age story, ‘Little Manhattan’ is beautifully shot and cleverly written. The performances of the young actors are exceptional, making it a genuinely heartwarming experience.

Audience Reactions

The relatable story of first love and the authentic portrayal of childhood experiences resonated deeply with viewers.: Most viewers found the movie heartwarming and charming, praising the performances of the young leads and the beautiful depiction of New York City.

Overall Consensus: A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that captures the joy and awkwardness of first love, with strong performances and a beautiful setting.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Charlotte Ray Rosenberg grew significantly during filming, requiring Josh Hutcherson to sometimes stand on an apple box to maintain consistent height differences.”
• “The film showcases many real locations on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, aiming for authenticity in portraying the children’s world.”
• “Director Mark Levin and writer Jennifer Flackett previously worked on ‘The Wonder Years,’ and the film uses similar nostalgic voice-over narration techniques.”

🖥️ How to Watch Little Manhattan?

Currently, “Little Manhattan” is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing. It is not always included in subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Little Manhattan, you might like these similar films:

• My Girl (1991): Explores the themes of first love and loss through the eyes of a young protagonist.
• The Wonder Years (1988-1993): Nostalgic coming-of-age story told through voice-over narration, reminiscent of ‘Little Manhattan’s’ style.
• A Little Romance (1979): Focuses on a sweet, innocent romance between two young individuals in a foreign setting, much like Gabe and Rosemary’s New York adventure.
• Call Me by Your Name (2017): Captures the intensity and formative experience of first love, although set in a different context and age group.
• Moonrise Kingdom (2012): Quirky and heartfelt story about young love, with a stylized and nostalgic feel.

🛒 Little Manhattan Related Products

• Little Manhattan Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for fans who want to relive the charm of the film.
• Karate Kid Cobra Kai T-Shirt: Show your love for the Karate kid movies. Inspired by the Karate class that the protagonists attend.
• Razor Scooter: An authentic razor scooter to mimic Gabe’s exploration of his Manhattan neighborhood.

🎧 Soundtrack

Little Manhattan features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” – performed by Edison Lighthouse
• “Only the Strong Survive” – performed by Elvis Presley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Little Manhattan Cast Shocking Transformation After 15 Years

Ever wondered what the kids from Little Manhattan look like now? This video shows their incredible transformations after 15 years—prepare to be surprised! It’s wild to see how much they’ve changed!

Josh Hutcherson: From The Hunger Games to FNAF Movie – A Hollywood Journey #fnaf #actor

Did you know Josh Hutcherson from ‘The Hunger Games’ was also in ‘Little Manhattan’? This video traces his whole Hollywood journey, from a child star to major roles. It’s pretty cool seeing how far he’s come!

New Cool Kid STEALS SHY KID’S Girl | Dhar Mann Studios

This video is inspired by the movie Little Manhattan. It is a good watch.

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