Tadpole
Tadpole

Movie spotlight

Tadpole

2018
Movie
8 min
English

A shy teenager named Chris anxiously prepares his room for his friend, Alex, to spend the night. When Alex arrives, Chris is caught off guard when Tommy, Alex's friend, joins them, making a crowd of three.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes84%
Metacritic74/100
Google Users75%
Director: Gary WinickGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A precocious and idealistic 15-year-old, Oscar Grubman, navigates the complexities of love and desire during a summer in New York City. He finds himself infatuated with his father's much younger, bohemian mistress, Eve. While attempting to understand his feelings and the adult world around him, he also grapples with his burgeoning sexuality and the awkwardness of adolescence.

Critical Reception

Tadpole was met with generally positive reviews, praised for its sensitive and honest portrayal of teenage awakening and its charming performances, particularly from Aaron Stanford. Critics often highlighted the film's mature handling of complex themes and its understated humor.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic portrayal of adolescent desire and awkwardness.

  • Lauded for strong performances, especially Aaron Stanford as Oscar.

  • Appreciated for its mature and nuanced handling of complex relationships.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate appreciation for the film's honest and relatable exploration of teenage love and the complexities of adult relationships, often citing the lead performance as a highlight. Some viewers found the subject matter mature for its protagonist's age.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in just 24 days on a very modest budget.

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