Children on Their Birthdays

It's hard to say what any deceased writer would do, but this very much alive viewer felt the movie was beautifully made with simple style and gentle awareness towards its subjects. I loved watching this movie and escaping into the world of Lilly Jane Bobbitt. After seeing this movie, I re-read the short story by Capote and enjoyed remembering what I had seen recreated by the producers and director. Hollywood thinks if you blow it up they'll come. But, I believe if you make a wonderful film, they'll not only come, but they will leave wanting more - and that's how I felt about Mark Medoff's movie "Children on Their Birthdays."

I remember being so disappointed that this film never made it into my local theater after seeing the trailer for it played there more than once. Obviously, the theater management did not think such a sweet film, an innocent film, could capture much of an audience. They were wrong. It captured me wholeheartedly. Not only is the movie cinematically beautiful, with a small town backdrop much like that in My Dog Skip, but the characters seem to have been dropped right out of the 1940's. Yes, some might call it schmaltzy, sugary, even overdone in some respects. Lily Jane's overdone accent I found particularly annoying. But Hollywood has done its best to give us the dark side, the horrific side, the characters filled with malice and malevolence. I find this film so refreshing and well acted as well. Using mostly unknowns makes the film feel even more comfortable. The characters are on an even playing field and each contributes more than his share. Children on Their Birthdays tells a simple story of growing up, mending fences, finding our way in a world which can be a very cynical place. But the children here give us hope that if their innocence can translate into tenderheartedness as adults, maybe we have a shot at a better tomorrow after all.

This sweet and touching adaptation of Truman Capote's coming-of-age short story takes place in 1947 Alabama. The cinematography, locations, and music skillfully help set the stage for a time when reading books or listening to the radio were a major source of entertainment. World War II veterans were attempting to return to their former lives, war-widows were still dealing with their losses, and Jim Crow was a legal reality. Into this setting steps Lily Jane Bobbit, a 13-year old with ideas of her own as to how the world should work.

The story includes the blush of first love, friendships that see no colors, and actions and words that come from the heart. In this era of movies relying heavily on violence, profanity, car chases, and sex to hold your interest, this movie is a refreshing change of pace. It's a lovingly crafted film that's a treat for the whole family.

I rented the DVD because I was simply in the mood to watch a movie, and I'd seen almost everything else new that hadn't already been rented out. So I gave "Children on Their Birthdays" a shot, not expecting too much.

I was surprised to discover that I really enjoyed it. In fact, the day after I had watched it, I found myself thinking about the characters and smiling. So I bought the DVD and have watched it several times since then.

I won't go into a detailed description, because that's already been done. But the characters are endearing. Despite a forced southern accent by Miss Lily Jane Bobbit, she is still the centerpiece of the movie. All the children performed wonderfully.

The movie is a study in contrasts: Honesty vs. dishonesty, rural vs. urban, child vs. adult, etc. Overall, it's a movie deserving of a higher rating than it has received.

I gave it an 8.

eh, no sex, no profanity, no violence without being too syrupy...that's a pretty good accomplishment. How in the hell did they get this thing funded? Although often overstated and painfully slow at times,I have to say that the young actors-particularly joe pichler and tania raymonde-made the movie emotionally charged,interesting and real. Amazingly enough as young as they are, they're carrying the movie. The adults' side stories although anchored by sheryll lee, chris mcdonald and tom arnold fall a little short and are pretty pointless and not so exciting. This period piece is surely worth seeing and you'll enjoy the cutest innocent love triangle- should I dare to say- you've ever seen set in a picturesque Alabama village of the late 40s during a steaming hot summer.