When reading about the film Little Children my curiosity was piqued concerning the film's director, Todd Field. Field's only other feature, In the Bedroom, was one of the best of 2001. Before that Field worked primarily as an actor in middling projects. Middling, I should say, except for a little film called Eyes Wide Shut. Very, very, strange. And is it a coincidence that two years after the release of Eyes Wide Shut Field would release his own very accomplished movie? I would need to watch In the Bedroom again, but I have a feeling the influence of Kubrick can be seen in that movie. Kubrick was known for the lengthy time between his pictures. Well, five years passed between Field's first and second film. Googling the Field-Kubrick connection reveals very little. Field does cite Kubrick as an influence. So much for my curiosity.
It will be interesting to see the reaction to Little Children at the currently ongoing Toronto Film Festival. My expectations are very high. Perhaps this time Field will be nominated for Best Director. He was not nominated for In the Bedroom, despite the movie having three acting nominations and the Best Picture nomination. Unbelievably, Ridley Scott was nominated for Blackhawk Down instead.
