In1962 my Father had the notion to place me in a private school. His intentions were good as he wanted me to have the best education possible. What parent wouldn't? Struggling financially, he asked his Uncle Max for financial help and Max complied but under certain conditions. It has to be a Jewish school. Unfortunately, I was not a good student with behavioral issues plus a lack of attentiveness was a recipe for disaster. I had no knowledge of Jewish customs and practices. My mother was proud of being Jewish but knew nothing about her religion. I invited a classmate to the house after school. When my Mother had us in the kitchen to eat a snack. The boy was shocked as he noticed that my mother didn't have two sets of dishes rendering our kitchen not kosher. He called his mother to come to the house and get him out of this gentile home. A Little Game is a refreshing change of pace being hidden amongst the sex, violence-oriented movies. Max Kuftinec (Makenna Ballard) is tops in her class at her local New York City public school. She is a young pre-teen, cute with a thirst for knowledge. In addition, her friends gravitate around as seen in the opening playground scene. All seems right until her teacher called her over and says to the effect that she is going to miss her. When Max comes home her parents Tom (Ralph Macchio) and Sarah (Janeane Garofalo). They realize that Max would be better suited to a private school where she could be more challenged. Her parents take a financial risk as Sarah is a gourmet chef and requests more shifts to pay the huge tuition. Tom is a maintenance man for the apartment they reside which saves on rent payments. Other supporting characters are her loving Greek Grandmother YaYa (Olympia Dukakis) who she admires for her wisdom. Then there is her younger adorable sister Jez (Fina Strazza) with a wild imagination who for example turns her babysitter into a human closet draping clothes on each arm (Quite a site). Max finds herself in unchartered waters in her new surroundings at the private school. Already the upper westside snooty girls are teasing her about her old shoes. Max is basically alone in her new environment. In order to find new friends, she joins the school's chess club. Not knowing anything about chess, Max is ostracized by her snobbish classmate Isabella (Fatima Ptacek). Max retorts and tells her that someday she will beat her in a chess match. The real magic of this film takes place in Washington Square Park at the chess tables. Where a venerable gentleman is sitting. Max seems to gravitate towards this person. This is the hook for me personally as the dialogue between the two holds your interest. The screenwriting between a ten-year-old inquisitive youngster against the well-seasoned curmudgeon. F. Murray Abraham known as Norman in the film transcends this tale in a different but positive direction. Max Learns about chess and how life constantly changes through the subtle hints Norman provides giving Max a different perspective on the game. Some critics scoff at the film complaining that Garofalo, and Abraham, were not showcased more or to even appear in a children's film of this nature. Truthfully I personally was totally satisfied with the entire movie and was hoping that there would be a spinoff series. The casting was sheer perfection. Other notable players in the movie worth a mention were the bespectacled Becky (Oona Laurence) and her enterprising male friend Jaden (Gabriel Rush). A wonderful family film.
Review of A Little Game
