Aaron Stanford, Adam LeFevre, Alicia Van Couvering

Beautiful, sophisticated women are all over Oscar Grubman. He is sensitive and compassionate, speaks French fluently, is passionate about Voltaire, and thinks the feature that tells the most about a w...( read more  read more... )oman is her hands. On the train home from Chauncey Academy for the Thanksgiving weekend, Oscar confides in his best friend that he has plans for this vacation--he will win the heart of his true love. But there is one major problem--Oscar's true love is his stepmother Eve. Oscar is certain that he could be a better mate to Eve than his work-obsessed father. He fails to win Eve's heart and is consequently dejected. Oscar's path to his true love is further crossed by Diane, Eve's best friend who, one night while wearing Eve's borrowed perfumed scarf, offers him temporary comfort in an unconventional tryst. For Diane, Oscar fills a void in her life. For Oscar, Diane is somewhat of a distraction, as his continued pursuit of Eve leads to an unexpected resolution.

Flixster Users

59% liked it

761 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

103 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Gary Winick

Release Date: July 19, 2002

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DVD Release Date: January 21, 2003

Stats: 194 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (194)


  • February 4, 2008
    beautifully scripted, doens't hold back in its knocks at romance cliches
  • January 9, 2008
    I could rank this higher if it weren't for one thing, the film looses real ground with Oscar getting too obssesed with Eve and even rejecting offers from other women. No matter how smart and sharp a 15 year old kid can be, the chance of getting laid with fine ladies at that age i...( read more)s like finding gold under your bed. No teen would say no to that just because he is in love with someone.

    Yet, the film is quite fun to watch, especially for anyone who felt like the main character at some point over those teen years. No connection at all with people of his age, and with way too different interests. That and the taste for mature dames.

    Nice wet dream of a movie, could have been better. Bebe Neuwirth looks damn good in this one. Only mentally derranged and under the influence of strange medications i would have prefered Weaver over her.
  • April 9, 2007
    This movie is so sweet and funny, watching it just fills me with giggly joy. Everyone is great in this movie and the humour is derived from the characters themselves and thier relationships. It's easy to forget that Oscar is 15, which adds to the effectiveness of the whole story....( read more) I love this movie, even though it kind of looks like crap. I don't think digital Hi8 recording was the best way to go with this film.
  • March 14, 2009
    Sigourney Weaver and Bebe Neuwirth are cougars before there was name for it.
  • June 6, 2007
    Smart and humorous! there are so many levels of wrong in this movie that it was almost uncomfortable to watch. It had me releasing guilty closet giggles all the way through until ultimately revealing that some intelligence is gained purely from experience and age really is more...( read more) than just a number. it also never hurts to have poignant Voltaire quotes sprinkled about opportunely!
  • October 25, 2009
    I have been trying to watch this movie
  • June 6, 2008
    Another fine little indie, the acting is exceptional and David Bowie is used to great effect.
  • May 7, 2008
    Bright fifteen year old in love with his stepmother. The movie could be a lot better if it wasn't for his obsession for her. I lost focus at some point, actually getting bored, thinking "is it over yet?"
  • March 14, 2008
    Great actors and great filmwork, tadpole is a good film. The one facotr that made it unenjoyable was the facotr of a "Graduate" theme.
  • February 27, 2008
    Excellent indie film..

Critic Reviews


July 26, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Tadpole will delight audiences for its comedy. full review

July 26, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The film has other problems than credibility. It ends with unseemly haste, it underlines its points too obviously, and its camera moves when it should be still. full review

July 25, 2002
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

A wannabe comedy of manners about a brainy prep-school kid with a Mrs. Robinson complex founders on its own preciousness -- and squanders its beautiful women. full review

July 19, 2002
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Tadpole is an irreverent and witty comedy in which the events aren't predictable but are well paced. full review

July 9, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Tadpole may be small, but it's something special -- a cheeky comedy knockout. full review

View more Tadpole reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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