SummaryFranky Winter (Josh Wiggins) and Ballas Kohl (Darren Mann) have been best friends since childhood. They are high school royalty: handsome, stars of the swim team and popular with girls. They live a perfect teenage life – until the night of Franky's epic 17th birthday party, when Franky and Ballas are involved in an unexpected incident that change... Read More
Directed By:Keith Behrman
Written By:Keith Behrman
Giant Little Ones
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
82% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
18% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Mar 1, 2019
83
Writer/director Keith Behrman knows exactly what he’s doing when introducing a variety of people along the sexuality spectrum in his latest film Giant Little Ones. He’s intentionally flooding his canvas so that we have no choice but to accept them all rather than turn our focus onto just one.
Mar 24, 2019
75
There’s something enormously refreshing about the openness and honesty found in Keith Behrman’s coming-of-age film, Giant Little Ones.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
77% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
14% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
9% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Jul 29, 2020
9
This is a coming of age tale like no other. It's the story of two friends Franky and Ballas. The night after celebrating Frankys 16th birthday something happens that leads to Ballas fleeing from the house. The situation is unclear and when Franky returns to school Ballas has told everyone that Franky sexually assaulted him. Franky is confused but deals with the situation by retreating into himself. As the film goes along secrets come to light and Franky begins to come of age. It's a truly unique story and I don't want to ruin anything by saying too much. But the film stood long with me after the credits rolled. It's such a genuine, heartfelt exploration of youth and a discovery of where someone stands in the world. It's truly a groundbreaking film that deserves to be seen. 9/10
Mar 20, 2019
8
This is a very sweet film. It's got some really nice moving moments and ideas that are visceral. Like most films, there's some flaws... but the characters are great and again pull off what it must be like to explore your sexuality in HS and what the consequences may be.
Feb 28, 2019
75
It’s all a bit on-the-nose, but writer-director Keith Behrman keeps it topical and touching, even if he never quite transcends prioritizing that topicality.
Mar 7, 2019
70
Behrman has crafted a classic high school tale of outsiders finding themselves while looking in, bullied and beaten for daring to “experiment,” to be different. The images are sumptuously saturated and gorgeously crafted, and the soundtrack thrums and whines with anxiety and racing pulse.
Mar 1, 2019
70
Behrman sidesteps overt sentimentality, captures some heartrending moments and most importantly, doesn’t resolve everything with a neat “happily ever after” conclusion. The lasting impression Giant Little Ones casts may not be “giant” – but it’s certainly not “little” either.
Mar 20, 2019
67
Bisexual coming out stories are basically nonexistent in cinema, and that would be enough to set Giant Little Ones apart from the pack. But that's just one element of a wider story, told with a charming earnestness, about sexuality as a spectrum.
Mar 1, 2019
50
Both boys are good, and Kyle MacLachlan gives a tender turn as Franky’s gay dad. But the sheer amount of issues shoved in here is overpowering.
Aug 22, 2021
7
It doesn't leave a lot of impact while watching it, but it's writing is something to note here. May the ideas of its script help inspire future films to tackle the difficult subject of open liberated love.
Mar 19, 2019
7
Teenage angst and homophobia take a serious, but less dramatic turn than many movies of this genre. Franky Winter (Josh Wiggins) and Ballas Kohl (Darren Mann) are best friends until a late-night incident changes their relationship and more. This is not a coming out story, but an examination of how lies and doubts can ruin lives. The characters have interesting angles, the performances are involving and director Keith Behrman has crafted a compelling story. The subject matter isn't new, but the way it's explored offers an interesting and mature take on the subject.
Oct 19, 2019
3
A let down ! For the first third of the movie Ballas is presented as a main character, but we never get to know him or his motivations. They are only clarified by his sister, who suddenly becomes an important character mid-way through the movie. It's as if the creators of the movie decided to replace Ballas with her, and then they do a fast track job through exposition for us to understand her. The movie then has no real conclusion, and I still don't know anything about many of the characters and most importantly Ballas, who I know next to nothing still, making the movie a fractured mess. It feels like half student film and half feature film. Could've have been much better. Good acting from the main characters at least.
Production Company:
- Euclid 431 Pictures
- Sugar Shack Productions
- Storyboard Entertainment
- Scythia Films
- Vigilante Productions
Release Date:Mar 1, 2019
Duration:1 h 33 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Love Without Labels. Live Without Regrets.
Awards
Göteborg Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Vancouver Film Critics Circle
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Leo Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
