Little Secrets

Little Secrets (Samuel Goldwyn Films) is part of a growth industry among Mormon filmmakers, though the only presence of Mormonism in this film is its location shooting in Salt Lake City.

Teenager Emily Lindstrom (Evan Rachel Wood) is such a stickler for honoring confidences that she builds a small business as confessor and secret-keeper for the other children in her suburban neighborhood.

Little Secrets caught much critical flak for being too squeaky-clean, but that’s a bum rap. It works in a subplot involving drunken driving and engages the point well. Further, Little Secrets (and Richard Dutcher’s much darker and challenging Brigham City from 2001) are models of how to tell faith-based stories without hammering people with theological lectures.

Douglas LeBlanc edits The CT Review.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

What Other Critics Are Saying

Little Secrets is full of human failings and misbehavior—deceit, dishonesty, pride, fear— but strangely void of that short list of behaviors some Christians single out as inappropriate. In spite of its sanitized context, the film has enough humor and spirit to keep young viewers, and perhaps some grownups, entertained. (My full review is at Looking Closer.)

Director Blair Treu has cast some familiar television faces: Once and Again‘s Evan Rachel Wood has the lead role of a young violinist, Emily, and Seventh Heaven‘s David Gallagher plays David, the only eligible boyfriend in sight. The cheery script by Jessica Barondes focuses on Emily’s dream of being a violinist in a youth symphony. As she practices for a big audition, her artistic ambition is disrupted by her unique hobby: a help stand reminiscent of the psychiatric booth hosted by Lucy in the Peanuts comic. For 50 cents a session, Emily plays Dr. Laura to her neighborhood’s many adorable children, and promises not to reveal their misdeeds. All the while, though, she is hiding a deep, personal secret of her own that would shock her community. Will Emily be able to keep the secrets and earn a spot in the symphony?

Many religious press critics are beside themselves with enthusiasm for this sprightly film. Holly McClure (Crosswalk) says, “This is a well-written, wonderful story and certainly one of the more entertaining children’s movies of the summer. The real secret to this gem of a movie is its meaningful message, which will make it a family favorite.”

Ted Baehr (Movieguide) calls it “a beautifully crafted story. This is the type of movie that Sunday school classes could spend a long time discussing … the type of movie which families will enjoy.” But he adds, “As successful as it is in presenting biblical principles within the framework of the story, it fails to grab the audience at the beginning and it takes a certain amount of willpower to wait until the story hooks the audience.”

Ken James (Christian Spotlight) calls it “a cute movie with nothing objectionable. The overall theme is that having secrets that your loved ones don’t know about can be dangerous and detrimental. How often does that get taught to our youth?”

Bob Smithouser (Focus on the Family) writes, “The film … makes solid statements about loyalty, family relationships, forgiveness, and the consequences of driving drunk. Except for a mild crudity or two, there are no unpleasant surprises. Little Secrets is a little movie with a big heart.”

Mainstream critics are not offended and seem confident that children will enjoy the project. But they question whether its lack of realism is a detriment. Roger Ebert says, “The biggest surprise in Little Secrets is that Ozzie and Harriet don’t live next door. The movie takes place in an improbably perfect suburban neighborhood where all the kids wear cute sportswear and have the kinds of harmless problems that seem to exist only so that they can be harmless problems. Then of course there are some Big Problems which are rendered harmless, too. This is a very reassuring film. I am rating this movie at three stars because it contains absolutely nothing to object to. That in itself may be objectionable, but you will have to decide for yourself.”

“Treu scores his finest points off the little kids’ unfailing cuteness,” writes Leslie Carnhi (Village Voice), “but the film’s broad performances and heavy-handed moralizing strike a note of condescension sure to be heard by the alienated teenager within us all.”

Last week critics praised the family-oriented Little Secrets, but seemed a bit put off by the hard-to-believe fantasy of its clean, happy, sweet-natured world. This week Phil Boatwright writes, “The film starts out a bit fluffy, but eventually deepens in meaning as the subjects of truth and not keeping secrets from others is brought to the front. Filled with life lessons and comic situations aimed at youngsters, Little Secrets is an enjoyable little film for kids and young teens.”