“Little Man Tate” is about a genius kid trying to find his comfortable place in the world. But the kid who is most fun to watch in “Little Man Tate” is a cape-wearing math whiz with a potty mouth and a bad attitude.
Jodie Foster – yes, that Jodie Foster – combines these quirky elements into an entertaining tale of finding friends while staying true to yourself. “Little Man Tate” was Foster’s directing debut in 1991, and she co-stars as the blue-collar mother of a smartie played by Adam Hann-Byrd.
Fred Tate is a fourth-grader who can solve college-level math in his head and play complex piano concertos. But he has no one to hang out with. His immature but fiercely protective mom wants to help, but doesn’t know how.
Fred is drawn to a genius school run by the uptight Dianne Wiest. That’s where we meet the caped crusader, Damon, whose arithmetic IQ is as high as his emotional IQ is low. Damon ridicules Fred as the new runt on the smart block, but he also fears Fred may supplant him as the school’s wonder boy.
Foster tells a straightforward story in a restrained way, letting us get to know Fred without trying for Hollywood epiphanies. Surprisingly, she hasn’t directed since, though she is set to helm “Sugar Kings” in 2007.
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com; find the “Screen Team” blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
“Little Man Tate”
Rated | PG for mild language and mature subject matter Most appealing | Children 8 or older
