Little Criminals

Little Criminals is an engrossing drama film that was released in 1995. The film is a Canadian drama, directed by Stephen Shellenberger. It primarily features Brendan Fletcher, Myles Ferguson, and Adam Harrison who put out spectacle performances, beautifully depicting the dark and challenging tale the film narrates.

The film delves into the underbelly of a category of crime which usually does not garner much attention - juvenile delinquency. Set in the suburbs of Vancouver, Little Criminals ambitiously ventures to navigate through the gritty realities of underage crime and the factors that influence it. The storyline traces the life of a surprisingly young boy who is inevitably and unfortunately pushed into the shadowy world of crime.

Brendan Fletcher stars as Des, the film's central character, who is only twelve years old. Des is far from being the conventional 12-year-old boy. The young, impassive protagonist carries a deeply ingrained cynicism and a searing anger which results in a fierce defiance against anything synonymous with authority. Des rules with his partner in crime, Cory (played by Adam Harrison), they perform small illegal activities which they execute with a chilling professionalism.

However, it is an act of child-like recklessness that propels Des into a deeper galley of juvenile crime. He spins out of control, leading not only to increased criminal activity but also to tensions within his impromptu crime crew. This leads to a series of impactful sequences that undergo a tense exploration of youth affected by crime, and a society unsure of how to address it.

Myles Ferguson stars as Des's brother, the only family he has, adding to the narrative a heart-breaking individual struggle of dealing with their personal broken family sphere. Their bitter relationship further provides a heart-wrenching insight into the individual dynamics affecting Des's increasingly reckless behavior.

One of the intriguing aspects of Little Criminals is its raw portrayal of troublesome kids’ lives when they lack adult supervision, providing a bleak picture of how children can fall prey to the vicious cycle of criminal activities. The film also underscores the failure of the system to offer constructive solutions or support in rehabilitating these lost souls.

The filmmaker does not shy away from portraying the brutal realities of juvenile delinquency, making the film a compelling watch. The intensity of the storyline is complemented by strong performances by the young cast, bringing authenticity and grit to the narrative.

Brendan Fletcher gives a remarkable performance as Des. His portrayal of a hardened, street-smart boy with an underlayer of vulnerability tugs at the heartstrings. Fletcher's portrayal of the character manages to keep the audience engrossed throughout, creating a compelling, flawed character who despite his tendencies, occasionally flashes a somber reminder of his underlying innocence and youth.

On the other hand, the profound rendition of a helpless elder brother by Myles Ferguson adds another layer to the hard-hitting reality of the plotline.

While Little Criminals provides a grim portrait of juvenile delinquency, it also offers a social commentary on the inefficacy of the juvenile justice system. It makes the viewer probe into how society and the justice system are complicit and often contribute to the pathology of the 'invisible' children, each tangled in their own tale of misguidance and despair.

The cinematography and direction add another dimension to the narrative, keeping the feel of the film sustainably raw and hard-hitting. The gripping storyline combines with the visual storytelling craft to create a thought-provoking depiction of a social issue.

In conclusion, Little Criminals is thoroughly unbashful about underlining the societal lackings that land these kids in legally tricky situations. Through stellar performances, the movie questions the viewer's comfort, stretching the horizons of conventional film storytelling. This harsh dive into the rarely explored theme is bound to leave its audience contemplating long after the credits roll.