By Lariza Moreno/reporter
Little Boy is a sweet story of faith and hope that centers on the life of an innocent young boy.
The film is a comedy-drama directed and written by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde based in a small town during World War II. The little boy is an 8-year-old with a big imagination.
Photo courtesy Open Road Films
His name is Pepper (Jakob Salvati), who cannot grow at the same rate as the other children, causing him to be bullied.
The young boy has immense love and respect for his father James (Michael Rapaport), and the two share imaginary adventures. The family learns that James will be going off to World War II soon.
One day, a traveling magician visits the town and teaches his tips and tricks to the crowds. Everyone is amused, especially Pepper who finds it fascinating.
The young boy believes he can bring his father home from the war through the power of magic. That includes a “to-do list” given to him by a local priest who believes he could do such things only through faith and by helping others.
The title references the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Pepper befriends a Japanese man in his hometown. As a result, he receives hate from the people in town and even his own family. This all ties in with his “to-do list,” which resonates with the idea of loving thy neighbor. This helps Pepper learn to get rid of hatred in all its forms.
Little Boy is a beautiful and powerful story that through positive thinking Pepper finds faith in bringing his father back home.
