Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Little Man (2006)

Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Keenen Ivory Wayans is best known for ‘Scary Movie’ and the American comedy sketch show ‘In Living Color’, which launched the careers of Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx. Brothers Marlon and Shawn complete the Wayans comedic dynasty – the publicity for ‘Little Man’ calls them ‘the most successful African-American filmmakers in cinema history’ (Spike Lee and John Singleton, take note).

‘Little Man’, like Wayans’ previous film, ‘White Chicks’, fails as check-your-brain-at-the-door entertainment, and for the same reason: it’s a concept, not a movie. The concept is that Marlon Wayans’ face looks really funny shrunk down and digitally attached to the body of child actor Linden Porco. Together, they’re Calvin Simms, a midget gangster on the lam who, disguised as a baby, hides himself and his loot in the household of newly-engaged Darryl (Shawn Wayans) and Vanessa (Kerry Washington). They take him in. Eventually little ‘pumpkin butt’ gets unmasked, but not before endearing himself to the couple by making out with their busty white friend, sexually harassing a busty beer-girl at a hockey game, and watching the couple have sex.

It’s adult slapstick comedy for children, apparently. Keenen Ivory Wayans loved the nine-year-old Porco because ‘Linden got every joke.’ I couldn’t shake the image of Porco wandering around without a head. Marlon Wayans achieves an occasional laugh using only his face, helped by a series of really cute baby hats. He did his scenes within the solitary confinement of a green screen stage – sad, no? JM Tyree

Author: J M Tyree

Time Out London Issue 1880: August 30-September 6 2006


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing