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Tadpole (2002)

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Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 106
Fresh: 82 | Rotten: 24

Slight, but good-natured and witty.

Average Rating: 6.7/10
Critic Reviews: 31
Fresh: 24 | Rotten: 7

Slight, but good-natured and witty.

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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 4,855

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Movie Info

Most 15-year-old boys are obsessed with the opposite sex, but this may be the only area in which Oscar Grubman (Aaron Stanford) could be called typical. An honor student at an exclusive prep school, Oscar is confident, keenly intelligent, speaks fluent French, and is well versed in the work of a number of French authors, particularly his favorite, Voltaire. Oscar seems to have gotten his fascination with French culture from his mother, who several years ago divorced his father Stanley (John

PG-13, 1 hr. 18 min.

Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

Directed By: Gary Winick

Written By: Heather McGowan, Niels Mueller

In Theaters: Jul 19, 2002 Wide

On DVD: Jan 21, 2003

Box Office:$2.9M

Miramax Films

A small, charming indie.

August 22, 2002 Comment

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Top Critic

In every respect, director Gary Winick has served up a delectable, entertaining film.

August 21, 2002 Comment

Duane Byrge

Hollywood Reporter

Top Critic

The terrific performances of Weaver and Neuwirth notwithstanding, little of this is very amusing. And it doesn't help that the film is visually offensive.

August 16, 2002 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee

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Joe Baltake

Sacramento Bee

Top Critic

The top-notch cast brings the story to life with aplomb.

July 27, 2002 Full Review Source: ReelViews

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Top Critic

One of the smartest, most affecting movies of the year.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

A funny, fearless, poignant, spectacular performance.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

Top Critic

unpretentiously entertains

July 24, 2011 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

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John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews Source: Old School Reviews

Coming-of-age comedy with some sex.

December 28, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Oscar's romantic plight plays well for subtle pathos in addition to laughs.

January 7, 2004 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

In a summer wrought with action adventures and dramatic epics, it's a refreshing change to trust in the teachings and maturity of a 15-year-old.

May 20, 2003 Comment

Tyler Hanley

Palo Alto Weekly

The worst movie of 2002: 'Any film with such a formulaic foundation...faces the burden of succeeding in spite of it, yet Tadpole just dumbly offers it back up to us.'

March 19, 2003 Full Review Source: Nick's Flick Picks

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Nick Davis

Nick's Flick Picks

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Audience Reviews for Tadpole

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Mostly grating story about an arrogant, but brilliant, 15-year-old who falls in love with his stepmother. This movie tries to be edgy, a la Rushmore, but, due to a lack of likable characters, winds up being irritatingly stuffy instead.

January 27, 2008

Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

I could rank this higher if it weren't for one thing, the film looses real ground with Oscar getting too obssesed with Eve and even rejecting offers from other women. No matter how smart and sharp a 15 year old kid can be, the chance of getting laid with fine ladies at that age is like finding gold under your bed. No

September 8, 2007