Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Nonureva Really Surprised!

Teddie Blake The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Neil Doyle Nobody can accuse Christian BALE of choosing to do conventional stories. He's starring in a really quirky tale here, about an isolated boy running away from a cruel step-father (DANIEL BENZALI) and connecting with a hermit (JOHN HURT) who resides in a rundown shack in the woods, guarding a dark secret involving the death of a woman he killed and a whole lot of stashed cash.It starts out peacefully enough, but soon invades Stephen King territory when the tale takes a much darker turn. DANIEL BENZALI is truly scary in the scene where he mocks Hurt and almost strangles him to death, after which he kicks him brutally in the side. He then forces Bale to take him to the hermit's hut deep in the woods and has him dig a couple of graves. To tell any more would spoil the rest of the plot and give away too much--let's just say, the viewer is kept wondering what will happen next, especially during the last ten minutes.Beautifully photographed among handsome British locales, it's not exactly a pleasant story and, again, it's not surprising to see that Christian BALE is not your conventional young actor choosing only safe material. Much like Johnny Depp, he dares to take on boldly unconventional films that he must think have some sort of social significance.Serious movie buffs might find this independent film intriguing, but it's not for the average movie-goer.

Libretio ALL THE LITTLE ANIMALS Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (2.35 Research)Sound format: Dolby DigitalUntil it takes a darker turn during its latter stages, there's a quiet dignity at the heart of this unusual drama, the directorial debut of producer Jeremy Thomas, based on a novel by Walker Hamilton. Christian Bale - a long way from EMPIRE OF THE SUN and two years from American PSYCHO - plays a mentally impaired young man who runs away from his creepy stepfather (Daniel Benzali) in the wake of his mother's death and ends up in Cornwall, where he befriends an eccentric hermit (John Hurt) whose fondness for animals strikes a healing chord within Bale's damaged psyche. Together, they set out to bury the dead creatures they find around their ramshackle home in the forest, many of them killed by traffic on lonely country roads.Characterized by its magical performances (Bale is utterly convincing as the 10 year old boy trapped in a 25 year old's body) and eye-popping, panoramic vistas of the English landscape, the film offers a gentle reminder of mankind's place in the natural scheme of things, though Thomas makes his point without stooping to preachiness or obvious metaphors. In an amusing turnabout from standard Hollywood practices, this UK-lensed film features an American actor (Benzali) playing a Brit villain, the catalyst for a late-breaking plot development which some may find overly melodramatic. By turns humane, frightening and beautiful, this isn't a movie for all tastes, but adventurous viewers will be rewarded for their patience. A possible cult in the making.

yodergoaty I could not sleep one night, and as I was flipping about the channels I happened upon this film. I had missed a few minutes, but hey! It had John Hurt in it, and Christian Bale, and the word "animals" was in the title. I do so like animals, and I loathe it when I accidentally run over one. So, I had to watch.I had just seen (that very evening!) the nothing-special "Reign of Fire" featuring Christian Bale, and I wanted to see if he could act in a better role. And you know what... HE CAN!!! Exceedingly well!! Was this really the same man I had watched earlier in the night? I was instantly taken with his character, so innocent and sweet and wanting only to have his pets to love. And Hurt's character Mr. Summers... now there was a man who had everything straightened out. He knew what his life's task was (to bury roadkill), and he did it without complaint.Then there was the stepfather, known as "The Fat." Rarely have I wanted more to physically attack a film character. What a mean, mean man. Despicable. Loathesome. He made me shudder.I stayed up until 2 am watching this film, and although by this time I was quite tired, I did not at all regret it. After going to bed, I laid awake thinking about it for an hour more. It was one of those films which I did not want to end. I only wish I had seen the first few minutes. Mayhap I will rent this, and watch it whilst more wakeful, with my pet hedgehog on my lap, a cat at my side, and my dog at my feet. I think they'd like it, too.

jerieg you can't help it. I found it is better to watch this movie as a spectator rather than as a participant, because if you allow yourself to become involved in the story, the inconsistencies will annoy you to no end.The whole theme about cruelty to animals holds no weight because we never become involved with any animals - in fact the stepfather seems to be more of a true animal in the sense of doing what is necessary to survive than any other character. Christian Bale wavers from being profoundly retarded one minute to quite normal the next. John Hurt shows no remorse for his past deed, indeed is rather demented in confiding that he did the right thing in his little fairy tale retelling.The main thing that will keep you watching is to see what will happen next. Nothing happens as it should - oh, the basic good will triumph over evil theme is there in all its faded glory, but what will keep you watching this movie is because it is exactly like roadkill. You know it's bad, but you just have to see what it is...