Little Boxes (2016) User Reviews (26)

Could be so much more

[Ch_Kings · 5/10 · 12 June 2017]

When I first decided to watch this movie I had to question myself if I wanted to take a chance on yet another film that is build around racial issues. I'm quite frankly a bit tired of the "black family moves to a white racist town" or the "white teacher saves a class in the projects" type of films. Those films is so overdone, and also tend to portray people as if it's still the mid 80's or something.

In this film they kinda fall in the trap with writing the town people as socially awkward, and borderline racist. Which i guess in some cases might fit, but I don't personally find it believable that everyone is like that. On top of that I felt unsatisfied when the movie ended because I just sat there and wondered what I was supposed to get from it. It barely made me laugh, it didn't move me or make me cry, it didn't make me sad or happy, and worst of all it didn't really give me the good-feel either. So i don't know what they actually tried to do with this film, because it can best be described as "meh".

To wrap it up I would like to go back to my topic. It could be so much more. With that I mean it is definitively a good story hiding in this film, and they probably should have made it more about the kid, and write it so that the audience at least get that good-feel or the nostalgic love memories. But as it is right now, I can't really give my recommendations.

Makes for a great Family picture.

[subxerogravity · 6/10 · 23 April 2017]

Little Boxes made of ticky tacky Little boxes moving to a small town, where they don't look the same. There's a black one and a white one and the one they made that's in-between and these boxes from Brooklyn are having a hard time adjusting to a vastly different way of life.

So the idea of Little Boxes is that Clark Burns, an eleven year old kid from liberated New York, moves to Rome...Washington, were he's one of two black people living there. The other being his father Mack who is also feeling the awkwardness of being in a place where it seems for a lot of them he's the only black person they ever met, which brings us to Gina, the White woman pretty much responsible for bringing them there do to her job and is feeling the pressure of not fully understanding the situation.

The social commentary is very subtle, but ringing loud and clear. I actually loved the contrast of Mack hanging with his boys back in Brooklyn (one black one white), and being comfortable to be politically incorrect, then coming to Rome where the slightest miss use of words has the white folks questioning themselves. Although as the movie brings up, Mack also can't help but to be sensitive to what the town folks think of him.

But if I'm selling this to you as a comedy I want to point out that the funniest parts of the movie have nothing to do with any political issue, and everything to do with just very basic family matters type stuff. Moving to a new territory is difficult and the best hi jinks come from the new family in town just trying to deal.

Nice little movie parading some big topics in a light hearted way.

http://cinemagardens.com

Lighthearted film about a family that moves states in the US.

[morganbeckles · 6/10 · 14 July 2017]

It tackles topics such as coming of age, sexual exploration, race and class. The acting was pretty good. Had some good cinematic shots and you definitely see the characters develop. The film did have me on my toes at times but there was always some light humour to release the tension. I love how subtle yet impactful some of the moments of emotion were in the film. From the silence, to the cut to black screen with some dialogue still going on. Interesting film to watch. However I do feel that it had the potential to deliver much more. Was missing something, not sure what.

doesn't quite get there

[tsimshotsui · 21 April 2017]

Little Boxes attempts to explore and unearth these certain racial frictions and casual racism that something like the film Get Out has done amazingly. The efforts are appreciated, and there are certainly good scenes (Mack's interactions with that 'writer') but the film never quite knows what to do with the things it brings up. It just lets them hang there uncomfortably, something that an ignorant audience can just brush past quickly.

Mixed Patenthood

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 23 January 2018]

This has comedy elements in it and is socially aware. Although some may think this does cling on to cliches too much. Whatever you may think this does seem to be an accurate depictal of the troubles and worries of raising a child. The influences the kid is under, the stress and issues parents have. It's anything but overloaded though. It does have music in it, that some may find offensive, especially in connection with young kids.

But it's not like this is far from reality. And the movie does not offer you solutions in the traditional sense or any of that stuff. So while the cliche argument may be true, you can't fault the movie for being too sensitive and "cute". The acting is really good and there is a lot to love of the movie

Not bad, Not great. a good Interracial Red Box or Lifetime t.v channel movie

[KATO-SUBZERO · 7/10 · 16 July 2017]

16 July 2017: I see all and support All Interracial movies and t.v shows between men and women. What I wish is that movies would sometimes show Interracial men/women couples as other than just Black & White {African American-Caucasian American}. We need to show mixed race couples of how American really is Not just Black & White couples, but also Hispanic and Caucasian or Asian and African American or African American and East Indian or Middle Eastern as in Israeli or Egyptian Arabs married to a Black or White American. Those mixed couples do exist in real life too.

This on is Not the best Interracial flick, but not that bad. I liked the talented kids the most, young child actress, Oona Laurence is great in her role as Ambrosia and the other young girl who played her friend and young Armani Jackson as "clark" were good. The adults in the cast were okay. Okay for red box or Lifetime channel t.v movie.

Two things that that I did NOT like in this film. One during the scene where the little girl, Ambrosia finds out that Clark's mom is White and she runs off angrily to her room. Anyone over the age of 10 can clearly see when a person is obviously Biracial if his or her skin town is very light, but with other features such as hair texture. Anyone can clearly see that Clark is Not all Black.

I am fed up and tired of seeing movies where a Biracial {black-white} kid or adult is only referred to only as Black. It takes two adults (man & woman} to make a baby and if one of the adults is of another race then the child is of both races and that is in the DNA. Biracial people are Not just one race, they are both races.

Oona's role as Ambrosia is very smart, outgoing and precocious for her age. So she should Not have been shocked to find his mom is Caucasian/White. Also, he did not act like a kid from an all black poor street ghetto with bad English full of street slangs. Clark's diction is proper. It just did not make any sense for Ambrosia to freak out and get angry because he is Biracial.

A boy his age is going to be curious about the opposite sex and since his dad nor mom had the "Talk" with him yet, he is finding out on his own. So his mom should Not have been so shocked when she sees a bikini magazine or poster on his wall. It is just time to give the boy the "Talk".

Next thing, there is No way a kid his age should be having a girlfriend at his age. He could have a crush on a girl, maybe. Perhaps, he was just bragging to his cousin or not when he ran off angrily after the white mom scene. Over all, I give this film one thumb up and a 7. A much better young Interracial Love story is "Everything-Everything" starring Amandla Stenberg.

It's just life...

[jm-06647 · 6/10 · 15 March 2019]

I do understand that some people think it is a boring film, but on the contrary it is a nice realistic film about a normally mixed family moving from a city to a village. And the difference in lifestyle in both cities. It is an adult movie that many people can agree with, also funny. Therefore for me a more than sufficient, a 6.5

A nothing film about nothing...

[ishlydavid · 1/10 · 4 July 2021]

A family move 3 hours away for no apparent reason, nothing happens, they are all rude to everyone they meet for no apparent reason, nothing happens, the house has mould and their stuff is taking a while to be delivered, nothing happens, they get drunk for no apparent reason, nothing happens, they are rude to more people they meet, they call someone to fix the mould, their stuff arrives, nothings happens, the end.

Meh

[purrlgurrl · 2/10 · 6 July 2018]

If you live in Washington State, you'll immediately recognize that this isn't the Washington State you live in . . . it seems more like a New Yorker's fantasy of what it must be like to live in small town Washington State (where I actually do live in small town).

Our town is racially and culturally diverse, not the White suburbia depicted here. That big departure from reality (as well as the fact that the film appears to be filmed in and commenting on life in all white New York suburb) just undercut the movie for me.

Charming film!

[thecohen5 · 9/10 · 5 April 2017]

Wonderful film...full of realistic, thought-provoking scenes. Very relatable to our everyday experiences. The film explores themes of moving to a new home, racial challenges, coming of age and confronting one's weaknesses. It offers a nice balance between drama, humor and reality. Recommend it for any age, including young adults, who can relate to the young actors and their characters. The music choices are great; the music enhances the story and the visual. The acting--young and old--was spot on! The characters were so believable, that i fell into the story and wholeheartedly went along for the ride! I highly recommend this film!

So mundane...... you could fall asleep while watching it!

[rjaric · 4/10 · 16 April 2017]

There's nothing particularly wrong with the characters in this film, and the actors portraying them seem to do a good job. There are some thought provoking moments, but overall I found this to be quite a mundane movie.

It lacked significant; excitement or action or drama or intrigue or suspense; to engage the viewer.

Maybe it would be more interesting for those who can relate to the story-line, but that's not me, so I cannot comment from that perspective. Or it might appeal to art house film goers.

Ever the optimist, I watched it to the end, but could have easily fallen asleep as my initial interest waned after about 20 or 30 minutes in.

Well, it's not American Beauty, but it has gentle moments.

[JohnDeSando · 22 April 2017]

"You are so interesting." (White townie to new black resident)

Little Boxes is a little film that wants to be more than it is. While it would like to be a quirky tale of an interracial family moving from NYC to white Washington State, it's a slow moving story of a few dysfunctions on the part of the rural town faced with the black and white presence and awkwardly responding to it.

The white mother, Gina, played underwhelming by Melanie Lynskey, accepts a tenure-track job at Rome College with perks her black writer husband, Mack (Nelsan Ellis), appreciates if only because his second book is taking a great deal of time. Eleven-year- old son, Clark (Armani Jackson), is experiencing a new life with a couple of 11-year-old girls, nothing grand, just the kind of pre-teen exploration that seems awfully tame from my jaded point of view.

The meaty issues that hover over the biracial motif are meekly treated by a few pedestrian lines such as a young girl exclaiming the town needs a black: "We like totally needed a black kid. This town is SO white!" Or about husband a neighbor says, "If you close your eyes you can't even tell he's black." The mold hiding in the family's house is hardly a hidden metaphor. Embarrassing stuff

The only excitement in this turgid melodrama is when Clark gets in trouble for boyish misdeeds, odd actually for such a nice kid. I'm trying not to mention the four female professors at bad karaoke while over drinking on their regular lunch break. Even worse Gina is criticized for getting "sloppy" in a small town--a definite no no and a signal of intolerance almost unheard of in Brooklyn.

Clearly Little Boxes (hmm, people trapped? town?) is not in the suburban satirical league of Ice Storm and American Beauty. Even in the final act, a resolution occurs so quickly as to be unbelievable. But I'm not going to spoil one of the only spirited parts of the film.

Snore

[tcdb-52412 · 4/10 · 30 December 2018]

Started slowly and kept hitting bumps along the way to an uninspired ending. Snore.

New York State

[mel-mason · 3/10 · 3 July 2019]

Too bad that they tried to pass the location off as Washington when it's clear from the outset all was filmed in New York. (The 914 area code on an awning certainly gives it away.)

Rave reviews for this poignant film!

[rachel-bowie · 10/10 · 21 April 2017]

If you're looking for a thoughtful (and totally realistic) drama about an interracial family's transition from New York City to suburbia, look no further than this film. The expert storytelling delicately—and, at times, quite humorously—tackles the racial tensions that occur as they struggle to acclimate after their move, resulting in a timely and sensitive film that, at the core, is about a family just trying to do their best. I felt completely attached to every character in the film right off the bat. (A major credit to the nimble writing, directing and editing.) And while the story takes on a rather topical issue, it's the family narrative that will totally capture your heart. A must-watch!

Change or not!?

[ks-60500 · 5/10 · 25 July 2021]

I think quite an inspiring to us that life is to change or not. Pros and cons and learn about it's not easy and good and bad. Catch my eye ball when watching.

Hits home

[cartervincensse · 10/10 · 3 September 2018]

My wife and I are both mixed race with her looking more black than anything else between us 2 and our children look ethnically ambitious with our son rocking the afro like Clark.We get the assumptions and the awkward questions and conversations that make us laugh or feel offended.I like this realistic portrayal of mixed race family in the present time that shows there's still racism no matter how subtle and people try to act like it doesn't exist

Excellent Movie - Really Moving Family Drama....

[mdorvill-488-396587 · 10/10 · 17 April 2017]

This a movie that is let's you into the life of a family moving from New York to a small town in Rome, Washington. It reminds me of the films by Ira Sachs (Love is Strange, Little Men) and I say that as the highest compliment. My favorite part of the movie is the family the movie chronicles and how easily it is to be taken by them. I found myself wanting the movie to be a television show as they create a flawed but beautiful family dynamic that deals with real issues (sometimes not in the best way as what happens in stressful situations). The story itself has elements of big city to small town, racism, the awkwardness of fitting in, and issues with parenting, all dealt with grace (the acting is particularly wonderful by Melanie Lynskey and Nelson Ellis). It'll be hard to peg this film into a certain genre but that's what makes it so wonderful and worth watching. Highly recommend viewing it as it's a magnificently acted, well-crafted story.

Excellent Casting

[eastbaygal-85041 · 9/10 · 13 November 2016]

We were able to see this gem at the Napa Valley Film Festival. Well written; well edited. The nicest thing about this film for me was the characters were absolutely believable, and made the story flow. No one tried too hard; no playing for sympathy. Just a real family (bi-racial) having to adjust to a move from a big city to a small town (very white). Little touches - for example, not having their "stuff" arrive to their address in time, which we all rely on for comfort when facing a new place - made everything work. Wonderful experience. Thank you Rob Meyer, et al., and to the Napa Valley Film Festival for exposing us to so many new and different points of view.

A nudge not a slap

[allisonjoys · 9/10 · 31 December 2018]

Well done! The movie touched on a few things in a smart, realistic way, instead of going for shock value. I laughed a lot and really enjoyed this family.

A good drama

[DogeGamer2015 · 9/10 · 26 August 2020]

Although it has a short duration, it manages to create a plot that captures the viewer.

Mixed-race family moves from Brooklyn to small town Washington State.

[TxMike · 3 July 2017]

I was able to watch this on Netflix streaming.

The actors are good but it seems the filmmakers never were able to latch on to a good, inspired story. Instead we have a family moving, encountering a number of difficulties, including some family crisis moments, some brought on by the mold problem in the new house, some brought on by their furniture and things showing up late. Things get shaky then things get good without any real transition.

Melanie Lynskey is the mom, Gina McNulty-Burns, an arts and photography professor. The family moves from Brooklyn to Washington State for her new opportunity in a small college.

Nelsan Ellis is the dad, Mack Burns. He is a freelance writer that relies on cooking for his subjects.

The son is Armani Jackson as 11-yr-old Clark Burns. He has a lighter complexion than his dad, suitable for a mixed race child, but with an "afro" hairdo which seems a bit out of place in modern times. He soon becomes friends with cute local girl, Oona Laurence as Ambrosia Reed who seems delighted that someone of color has moved into their neighborhood.

The topic is good, to me it just isn't written or directed particular interestingly and the story has an arc that just doesn't always seem realistic. It is an interesting watch, just had so much more potential.

Entertaining and Enjoyable

[jessewriter · 8/10 · 27 November 2018]

Good acting and writing. Great casting. Realistic plot.

Refreshing new variation in script theme

[ersbel · 22 August 2017]

This is a refreshing new variation in script theme. It is nice. And heart felt. It is quite real. Yet, by the end it falls short.

There are too many main characters. And somehow, in contrast, too few supporting characters. And for me this mix of three points of view disconnected me from the story.

There are many interesting details. And real. The unpleasant mover. The pleasant and rather fake neighbors. The lack of Internet. Yet they seemingly come out of nowhere and they do not develop. And for a passing thing they take way too much time.

Which brings to probably the biggest problem: the story is slow. Very slow. Yet, at the end, when they seemingly went out of film, things can be pretty fast and the details are well pruned. Why can't the movie be like the epilogue? Well, probably because there would be enough story for say 25 to 30 minutes. But the quick ending made the entry so much frustrating.

And there are wasteful scenes. In one the husband walks on the New York sidewalk. No information. Quite peaceful. Later he will do the same in Rome. Besides the extra trees and fewer people, there is no change. There isn't any mood, even if the producers probably badly wanted to mimic the waste of film done in European artsy movies paid by the state.

In the end, with the given happy ending, this movie goes against everything written in plots and by critics. I did not see the white suburban community. Just a white and unpleasantly polite community that radiates fake. Which is true for any community that involves status. There are racial tensions. But the conflicts are well white washed. And the people have conflicts based on the tensions. Nothing about racism. Peaceful? But their life in New York is shown as peaceful. And the two men are not disturbed by the people around, but by the change to an environment they did not ask for.

It might have been good.

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

Wonderful

[ad8899 · 10/10 · 24 August 2020]

This movie was fantastic. Great acting, great writing. It's a subtle movie, just a very simple statement about living as a family, and racism, in the smallest and biggest ways. How we put people in boxes.