The problem for `child' actors is that, obviously, they cannot remain children forever, and what was `cute' about childish behavior, isn't anymore when they grow up. The other problem is that the entertainment industry provides a poor role-model for adult behavior. Child actors are encouraged to be like miniature adults, in that fantasy world -- to dress like, talk like, and share the values of, adults who are always trying to push the envelope in the direction of an `anything goes' morality. Hence, when they grow up, their perceptions of reality have already been spoiled, and there is no more room for them at the top. What do they do, therefore, when all they know is show business, and their careers were over before they became adults, this film asks us to consider?
Is it really fair to argue, as so many try to do, that they should be `grateful' for having achieved such success at an immature age? What child wouldn't be `envious' of them, those who have never had the experience might claim? Hence, it would seem that all their endless whining, as adults, merely betrays a kind of selfishness and ingratitude, as though they should be entitled to even more. Shouldn't they be `satisfied' to be remembered for their childhood achievements, and not ask for more? But this is to speak of ending a vocation that has only just begun. Such arguments might be fine for `adults' facing retirement after a long and prosperous career, but for children?
Those who view this film with feelings of jealousy will undoubtedly come away with the conviction that child actors are just a bunch of spoiled, unappreciative brats, whose antics as adults are inexcusable. They should accept their retirement by spending the rest of their lives signing autographs, and sharing memories with their fans about the glories of the past. In reality, however, that's a lot to expect from an adult, and a torment to expect from a child. Small wonder, therefore, that all the former child actors who participated in this film were unanimous in delivering one message to the audience that once launched them to stardom: yo guck fourself!
Is it really fair to argue, as so many try to do, that they should be `grateful' for having achieved such success at an immature age? What child wouldn't be `envious' of them, those who have never had the experience might claim? Hence, it would seem that all their endless whining, as adults, merely betrays a kind of selfishness and ingratitude, as though they should be entitled to even more. Shouldn't they be `satisfied' to be remembered for their childhood achievements, and not ask for more? But this is to speak of ending a vocation that has only just begun. Such arguments might be fine for `adults' facing retirement after a long and prosperous career, but for children?
Those who view this film with feelings of jealousy will undoubtedly come away with the conviction that child actors are just a bunch of spoiled, unappreciative brats, whose antics as adults are inexcusable. They should accept their retirement by spending the rest of their lives signing autographs, and sharing memories with their fans about the glories of the past. In reality, however, that's a lot to expect from an adult, and a torment to expect from a child. Small wonder, therefore, that all the former child actors who participated in this film were unanimous in delivering one message to the audience that once launched them to stardom: yo guck fourself!