Tadpole (2002)

77% of critics liked it
(106 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(4,915 ratings)

Most 15-year-old boys are obsessed with the opposite sex, but this may be the only area in which Oscar Grubman (Aaron Stanford) could be called typical. An honor student at an exclusive prep school, Oscar is confident, keenly intelligent, speaks fluent French, and is well versed in the work of a… More Most 15-year-old boys are obsessed with the opposite sex, but this may be the only area in which Oscar Grubman (Aaron Stanford) could be called typical. An honor student at an exclusive prep school, Oscar is confident, keenly intelligent, speaks fluent French, and is well versed in the work of a number of French authors, particularly his favorite, Voltaire. Oscar seems to have gotten his fascination with French culture from his mother, who several years ago divorced his father Stanley (John Ritter), a college professor, and moved to Paris. Stanley has recently remarried, taking an attractive woman in her mid-forties, Eve (Sigourney Weaver), as his new wife. Oscar, however, senses that Eve isn't happy in their marriage; certain he can give Eve the affection (both physical and emotional) that she needs, Oscar begins waging a low-key but ardent campaign to seduce his step-mother over the course of Thanksgiving weekend, despite the fact a number of Oscar's female classmates have made no secret of their attraction to him. Oscar's efforts to bed Eve attract the attention of one of her close friends, Diane (Bebe Neuwirth), a smart and sexy chiropractor who also becomes the not-entirely-unwelcome focus of Oscar's romantic attentions. Shot using digital video equipment, Tadpole was enthusiastically received at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, where the film's director, Gary Winick, received the Director's Award. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Gary Winick
Written By: Heather McGowan, Niels Mueller
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 19, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Jan 21, 2003
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
A small, charming indie.
Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter
In every respect, director Gary Winick has served up a delectable, entertaining film.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
The terrific performances of Weaver and Neuwirth notwithstanding, little of this is very amusing. And it doesn't help that the film is visually offensive.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The top-notch cast brings the story to life with aplomb.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
One of the smartest, most affecting movies of the year.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
A funny, fearless, poignant, spectacular performance.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
unpretentiously entertains
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Coming-of-age comedy with some sex.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Oscar's romantic plight plays well for subtle pathos in addition to laughs.
Tyler Hanley, Palo Alto Weekly
In a summer wrought with action adventures and dramatic epics, it's a refreshing change to trust in the teachings and maturity of a 15-year-old.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
The worst movie of 2002: 'Any film with such a formulaic foundation...faces the burden of succeeding in spite of it, yet Tadpole just dumbly offers it back up to us.'

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Mostly grating story about an arrogant, but brilliant, 15-year-old who falls in love with his stepmother. This movie tries to be edgy, a la <i>Rushmore</i>, but, due to a lack of likable characters, winds up being irritatingly stuffy instead.
Tsubaki S

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… More
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 is 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.
Emily A

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.… More
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. 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.
Sunil J

Sigourney Weaver and Bebe Neuwirth are cougars before there was name for it.
*Kimberly *

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 than… More
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 than just a number. it also never hurts to have poignant Voltaire quotes sprinkled about opportunely!