A modern variation on Catcher in the Rye, Tadpole sets an upper west side Manhattan 15 year old boy on a Thanksgiving school break he’ll never forget. Mature beyond his years, capable of discussing Voltaire in the original French and so worldweary he has no difficulty being served in a bar, Oscar Grubman (Aaron Stanford, who’ll follow this up by playing Pyro in X-Men 2) has taken the train home from his Connecticut prep school to tell his stepmother Eve (the always alluring Sigourney Weaver) that his father (John Ritter) doesn’t treat her well enough and he is in love with her. Hijinks, of course, ensue though this is not major studio teen romantic comedy.
No, in Tadpole, director/co-writer Gary Winick has created the latest intelligent independent comedy, a worthy follower to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Stanford and Weaver are excellent, Ritter is a weak link, Bebe Neuwirth is luscious and lascivious as stepmom’s best friend and even Robert Iler (Tony’s son on the Sopranos) is quite good as the Grubber’s best friend.
Note that although there is no nudity or blood splatter (well, no violence at all) and essentially no cursing, Tadpole deserves at least the PG-13 rating for it’s sophisticated subject matter.
Another Dollar Movie Night excursion that more than paid off!
Definitely recommended
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