Tadpole (2002)
Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 106
Fresh: 82 | Rotten: 24
Slight, but good-natured and witty.
Average Rating: 6.6/10
Critic Reviews: 32
Fresh: 24 | Rotten: 8
Slight, but good-natured and witty.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 5,001
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
Cast
-
Sigourney Weaver
Eve -
Aaron Stanford
Oscar Grubman -
John Ritter
Stanley Grubman -
Bebe Neuwirth
Diane -
Robert Iler
Charlie -
Adam Le Fevre
Phil -
Peter Appel
Jimmy -
Alicia Van Couvering
Daphane Tisch -
Kate Mara
Miranda Spear -
Hope Chernov
Samantha -
Debbon Ayer
Jean -
Ron Rifkin
Professor Tisch -
Paul Butler
Professor Sherman -
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Tadpole Trailer & Photos
All Critics (120) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (82) | Rotten (24) | DVD (13)
A small, charming indie.
Top CriticIn every respect, director Gary Winick has served up a delectable, entertaining film.
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.
The top-notch cast brings the story to life with aplomb.
One of the smartest, most affecting movies of the year.
A funny, fearless, poignant, spectacular performance.
unpretentiously entertains
Coming-of-age comedy with some sex.
Oscar's romantic plight plays well for subtle pathos in addition to laughs.
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.
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.'
Like a final project from a student film class, it has a raw and unsophisticated look...But that might be a good thing.
The film might have been more satisfying if it had, in fact, been fleshed out a little more instead of going for easy smiles.
The film pivots entirely on Aaron Stanford's performance, and he is super.
A real step forward for the digital video revolution.
Tadpole has more than its share of problems, true, but they are problems that can be borne.
It lacks the lushly romantic sensibility that made Woody Allen's similarly themed (and unfortunately prophetic) Manhattan seem plausible.
While this is no Harold and Maude -- one of the best films about an older woman and younger man -- Tadpole has an irresistible charm.
Short and sweet, but also more than anything else slight... Tadpole pulls back from the consequences of its own actions and revelations.
Its direction, its script, and Weaver's performance as a vaguely discontented woman of substance make for a mildly entertaining 77 minutes, if that's what you're in the mood for.
It has little teen humour, with the majority of the cast unlikely to see 40 again, and there is not enough plot substance to constitute an incentive for the older crowd.
This particular Tadpole grows into neither a frog nor a prince.
Do we really need a 77-minute film to tell us exactly why a romantic relationship between a 15-year-old boy and a 40-year-old woman doesn't work?
Audience Reviews for Tadpole
Super Reviewer
Yet, the film is quite fun to watch, especially for anyone who felt like the main character at some point over those teen years. No connection at all with people of his age, and with way too different interests. That and the taste for mature dames.
Nice wet dream of a movie, could have been better. Bebe Neuwirth looks damn good in this one. Only mentally derranged and under the influence of strange medications i would have prefered Weaver over her.
Super Reviewer
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Latest News on Tadpole
February 28, 2011:
Gary Winick: 1961-2011Gary Winick, the director of "Tadpole" and "13 Going on 30," has passed away after a struggle with...
April 4, 2006:
Trailer Bulletin: Charlotte's WebIt's not hosted in an "official" capacity, so if you want to be the first kid on your...
Fresh Links
Featured
Movie: ID: 12227 Title: Tadpole Release Date: 2002-07-19 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 3 Status: 1
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