Rating: 
Summary: A Small Charmer
Review: This film was a very pleasant surprise. Not having seen it, I purchased it on the strength of its cast. The film's success rests on the small shoulders of its lead character. Alex D. Linz proves, as he did in HOME ALONE 3, to be an absolutely charming presence. The scene in which he explains his lack of fear of dying to his grandmother is a gem. The film itself is a little unsteady at the beginning and, at 108 minutes, is a bit overlong, but, once it gets going, the story is filled with wonderful, quirky characters. It bears a passing resemblence to the Belgian film MA VIE EN ROSE ("My Life in Pink"), which is also recommended viewing.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie for the equality of the sexes
Review: This is a great movie!
I found the portrayal of the nuns to be disturbing, yet accurate, but puts the nuns in a good light in the end, with even the most harsh nun cheering for the boy in a dress at the end.Shirley MacLaine provides great subconsious contrast to the little boy who likes to wear dresses, because she is very "butch" in this movie. Shirley dresses in pants, teaches boxing, and is not afraid to fight anyone, verbally or physically. Shirley's butch look is the counterpoint of the story, as no one seems to care that Shirley takes on the male appearance and mannerisms. Thus, in my opinion, the major question this film raises, is why cant boys wear dresses, when girls can wear pants? Why are feminine attributes considered lower status, but male attributes higher status? I think the answer is that most people still think of females as being inferior, and any male that does anything feminine, wears anything femininm, is degrading himself, so it is unfavorable. Females that imitate the masculine and wear pants, are upgrading themselves, so that is acceptable. Men and women will never be truely equal, until this kind of subconsious prejudicial thinking ends. The film clearly states that the boy is not homosexual, nor does he want to be a girl. The film is harmless viewing fair. For every woman who has ever put a dress on a boy(who hasn't?), or a man, this is a movie to see. Any male who does not feel degraded in a skirt, is a male that truely sees females as equals. I have had personal experience with boys and men that like to wear dresses, and find them facinating. Happily, the story ends well, with everyone accepting a boy in a dress, the nuns redeeming themselves, and the fat woman throwing away her chocolate cake. A nice enjoyable movie in spite of its serious subject matter. A victory for womankind where feminitity is no longer considered degrading.
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