Children Of Invention

Critics Consensus

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79%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 14

60%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 534

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Movie Info

One of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film," writer-director Tze Chun makes his feature film debut with one of the most-awarded and best-reviewed films of the year. CHILDREN OF INVENTION is by turns humorous and heartbreaking, an "edge-of-your-seat family drama" (Spout) that's both "powerfully moving and rigorously intelligent."(Boston Phoenix).After being evicted, hardworking single mom Elaine Cheng (Cindy Cheung, Lady in the Water) tries to maintain a normal life for her children, Raymond and Tina. Elaine juggles a number of jobs, including working for a questionable pyramid scheme. When Elaine doesn't return home one night, nobody knows the kids are home alone, and they are left to fend for themselves. As the days pass, Raymond, a budding inventor, realizes he needs to come up with a plan to take care of his little sister.Referencing both the mortgage meltdown and suburban Ponzi schemes, "the film finds delicate moments of beauty and grace as its child heroes are forced to make their way" (Filmmaker Magazine). Featuring "gifted child actors--off-the-charts cute, refreshingly free of Hollywood precociousness" (LA Weekly), CHILDREN OF INVENTION is "as close to cinematic purity as one is likely to see this year" (Film Society of Lincoln Center), a timely drama about the influence of the adult world on children and resilience in hard times.CHILDREN OF INVENTION made its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and won Grand Jury Prizes for Best Narrative Feature at the 2009 Newport International Film Festival, Independent Film Festival Boston, and Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and Special Jury Prizes at the 2009 Sarasota, Nashville, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, and San Francisco International Asian American Film Festivals. It was the Opening Night Film at five film festivals and the Closing Night Film at two film festivals in 2009. -- (C) Official Site

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Cast

Cindy Cheung
as Elaine Cheng
Crystal Chiu
as Tina Cheng
Michael Chen
as Raymond Cheng
Frank Pando
as Bruce
Kieran Campion
as Dan
Jackson Ning
as Michael
Yan Xi
as Felicia
Suzan Mikiel Kennedy
as Mrs. Cutter
Ruth Zhang
as Mrs. Chow
Lu Yu
as Mr. Chow
Lynn Mastio Rice
as Betty Cardellini
Katie Kreisler
as Lucy
Kathleen Kwan
as Rosemary
Han Tang
as Nancy
Dustin Sullivan
as Dennis
Wai Ching Ho
as Doris
Takeo Lee Wong
as Great Grandpa
Kenneth Lee
as Charles
Amy J. Cheng
as Susan
Ai Cheng
as Linda
Stephen Gevedon
as Rob the Salesman
Remmi Franklin
as Sheriff
Ronald Thomas
as Toy Store Manager
Karlene Baptiste
as Dinner Singer
Avery Pearson
as Hotel Receptionist
Robert Kelly
as Torres
Michael Pemberton
as McCarthy
Janine Mahoney
as Bank Teller
Jared Sprague
as Blond Boy in Car
Mellini Kantayya
as FTC Investigator
Laurie J. Williams
as Public Defender
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News & Interviews for Children Of Invention

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Critic Reviews for Children Of Invention

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (9)

  • An independent film that's all about forced independence.

    Apr 23, 2010 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Rick Groen

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • Shows enormous love and respect for those clutching at the short end of the American Dream.

    Apr 1, 2010 | Full Review…

    J. R. Jones

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Chen and Chiu's genuine, rarely cloying performances along with Cheung's urgent sincerity add immeasurably to this timely film's many modest pleasures.

    Mar 12, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Gary Goldstein

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Restraint proves a virtue of -- and a shrewd if necessary choice for -- Children of Invention, a modestly scaled, quietly effective independent movie about a struggling single mother and her two children.

    Mar 12, 2010 | Rating: 3/5

    Manohla Dargis

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Performances are realistic and unpretentious, and the backbone of this observant movie by a director-writer with a promising future.

    Mar 12, 2010 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    V.A. Musetto

    New York Post
    Top Critic

  • Heartfelt but dramatically tepid tale of two kids who must fend for themselves after their single mom goes missing.

    Mar 11, 2010 | Full Review…

    Frank Lovece

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Children Of Invention

  • Sep 09, 2011
    I felt sorry for the poor mother who fell for the pyramid scheme.
    Ida K Super Reviewer
  • Jan 04, 2011
    I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I am a sucker for movies revolving around children. This one is no exception. I enjoyed this movie, mostly because of Crystal Chiu. What an adorable little girl! She has such an expressive face, and did an outstanding job in this film. The whole movie was interesting, and the ending was appropriate, I thought. Nice little movie.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 30, 2010
    I liked this a lot - the kids were adorable and very believable and you could really feel the mother's struggle. Definitely worth watching.
    Sarah P Super Reviewer
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