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IMDbPro

Little Man Tate

  • 1991
  • PG
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
Home Video Trailer from Orion Pictures
Play trailer1:43
1 Video
40 Photos
Drama

A single mother raises a child prodigy on her own, struggling to give him every opportunity he needs to express his gift.A single mother raises a child prodigy on her own, struggling to give him every opportunity he needs to express his gift.A single mother raises a child prodigy on her own, struggling to give him every opportunity he needs to express his gift.

  • Director
    • Jodie Foster
  • Writer
    • Scott Frank
  • Stars
    • Jodie Foster
    • Dianne Wiest
    • Adam Hann-Byrd
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jodie Foster
    • Writer
      • Scott Frank
    • Stars
      • Jodie Foster
      • Dianne Wiest
      • Adam Hann-Byrd
    • 50User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Little Man Tate
    Trailer 1:43
    Watch Little Man Tate

    Photos40

    Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    David Hyde Pierce and Dianne Wiest in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Harry Connick Jr. and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Harry Connick Jr. and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Dianne Wiest, Adam Hann-Byrd, and George Plimpton in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Jodie Foster, Debi Mazar, David Hyde Pierce, Dianne Wiest, and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Jodie Foster and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Debi Mazar in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)
    Jodie Foster in Little Man Tate (1991)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jodie Foster
    Jodie Foster
    • Dede Tate
    Dianne Wiest
    Dianne Wiest
    • Jane Grierson
    Adam Hann-Byrd
    Adam Hann-Byrd
    • Fred Tate
    Alex Lee
    • Fred Tate at 2
    Michael Shulman
    Michael Shulman
    • Matt Montini
    Nathan Lee
    • Matt's Teammate
    Celia Weston
    Celia Weston
    • Miss Nimvel
    Danitra Vance
    Danitra Vance
    • Clinic Doctor
    David Hyde Pierce
    David Hyde Pierce
    • Garth
    • (as David Pierce)
    Debi Mazar
    Debi Mazar
    • Gina
    Richard Fredette
    • Bartender
    George Plimpton
    George Plimpton
    • Winston F. Buckner
    Jennifer Trier
    • Grierson Institute Teacher
    P.J. Ochlan
    P.J. Ochlan
    • Damon Wells
    John Bell
    • Joey X
    Ishe Costa
    • Cherry Reynolds
    Chucky Ocampo
    • Bob Yee
    Richard Hanson
    • Odyssey of the Mind Leader #1
    • Director
      • Jodie Foster
    • Writer
      • Scott Frank
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jodie Foster asked David Hyde Pierce to appear in the film after remembering him from college. They both attended Yale University.
    • Goofs
      When asked the question of what factors the number 3,067 has, Damon replies that the number has no factors because it is prime. That is incorrect. Every prime number has two factors: 1 and the number itself. Yet the moderator accepts his answer of "no factors" without even asking for clarification.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Fred Tate: I once got this fortune cookie that said, "only when all things around you are different will you truly belong". Well, we're all different that's for sure. I see Jane everyday at the institute, and once in while Dede let's her take us out to a fancy restaurant. Sometimes we even have fun. After a while I was the most famous kid at Jane's school. But then a year later, a 6 year old boy named Willie Yamaguchi got into law school, and suddenly I wasn't such a big deal anymore. But I don't care, because I was happy.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Paradise/Livin' Large/The Fisher King/The Indian Runner (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      I Get A Kick Out Of You
      Words and music by Cole Porter

      Performed by Ella Fitzgerald

      Courtesy of Polygram Special Products

      A Division of Polygram Group Distribution, Inc.

    User reviews50

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Very touching
    Little Man Tate was one of my favorite movies as a child, I don't know why, but maybe because my grandmother and I bonded over this movie, it's just special to me. But I was a little disappointed to see a low rating on IMDb, I think this is an absolute treasure of a film. Jodie and Dianne are just such a terrific pair of actresses and are perfect casting for the film. I know Jodie Foster was in charge of the film and she did a terrific job. The boy who played Fred was so charming and fit the role perfectly. The story is so touching and beautiful, not to mention original since the story of gifted children isn't really discussed that well.

    Fred is a young boy who is extremely gifted, his intelligence is something very special. But his mom, DeeDee, doesn't really let him expand since she is a single mom wanting her son just to be normal. But Fred is discovered by Jane Grierson, a professor of highly intelligent and gifted children, giving Fred the chance to expand his world and even takes him to college at a young age. Fred meets interesting characters throughout his journey learning that maybe life has more to offer than what he used too.

    Little Man Tate is a very good movie and very charming. I know some might find it a little boring, but honestly, you have got to give this movie a chance, it has great drama and some fun comedy along the way. David Hyde Pierce was such a fun addition to the cast, he really makes his screen presence enjoyable, so does Dianne. But the whole cast is just perfect and seemed to enjoy doing this movie together. I would highly recommend this movie, it's a good one to watch.

    7/10
    helpful•16
    4
    • Smells_Like_Cheese
    • Jan 20, 2004

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Mentes que brillan
    • Filming locations
      • Upham Hall Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA(The scene where Fred gets hit in the head with the globe was shot in front of Upham Hall)
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,010,896
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $230,106
      • Oct 14, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $25,010,896
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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