In the tradition of the movie Big comes the very funny counterpart Little a comedy that brings a lot of fun at a business office. Have you ever thought what it would be like if you were your young self again and know all you know at your adult age? It’s this concept that turns the world upside down for a successful businesswoman in modern day America. It’s fun, wacky and charming with a little romance thrown in for good measure.
Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall) has been leading a very successful life with JSI, her technology company, developing apps for her clients. She’s a task master, but that’s how she got to where she is and the result of her childhood past. Having a bit of a backward slide at the company, it turns worse when a major client decides that JSI has nothing new. Able to get an extension from her client she panics.
That afternoon while chatting with her assistant April Williams (Issa Rae) she gets approached by Stevie (Marley Taylor) a young girl who works on a food truck. Treating the girl with disdain, she pulls out her fake magic wand and tells Jordan that she will turn her back to when she was 13 again. Laughing it off, Jordan distances herself from Stevie and goes back to tormenting her innovations idea group about coming up with something new.
The next morning however, Jordan wakes up as her former 13-year-self (played by Marsai Martin). Thus begins a very funny movie about becoming a good boss, listening to others and never doubting the power of young ones. Director and co-writer Tina Gordon Chism, who wrote the screenplay for the comedy Drumline, pulls off another good show. She works well with Marsai Martin who can be seen on TV’s “Black-ish” as Diane Johnson/Dolly, and turns a simple plot into an entertaining hour and a half.
Putting control of the tough task master in the hands of Regina Hall who was sterling in The Hate U Gave, was a smart movie. She handles the gorgeous vixen Jordan with a cold and calculating attitude of assurance. She makes the character her own and I even cringed a few times watching the attitude expressed by the intense boss. She makes the film work, before handing off the capable co-lead to Marsai Martin.
As Jordan’s younger self, Marsai Martin turns her child hood on its ear. She knows what it is like to be a whip master for her grown up company and she takes it into to her former school where she was embarrassed by bullies. But, there she learns a lesson she will take back to her normal boss self and the change is heartfelt (well almost).
BONUS FEATURES: Included on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
• Gag Reel
• More than a Little Talent
• Regina Goes Method
• Marsai Martin Presents…
• Black Momma Whuppin’ Situation
• Issa Rae’s Assistant Survival Guide
• Feature Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Tina Gordon
Little has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some suggestive content. It’s now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD so you can repeat several scenes with an exclamation of “she said what!”. Immature children should be accompanied by a parent to explain a few things, but the tweens should be able to handle the content. Especially since they are a major part of the target audience.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A nicely directed and acted film. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Toni Bell, Mikey Day, Marsai Martin
Director: Tina Gordon Chism
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hr. 49 min.
Video Release Date: July 9, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: April 12, 2019
Language: English (changeable to French Canadian or Latin Spanish)
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray combo pack
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, DVS (Descriptive Video)
Number of Discs: 2 Discs
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD Code
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
