Contrary to what the title would suggest, The Kid Detective isn't a kids' movie. It is part hard boiled mystery, part subtle satire, and fully an exploration of the disappointments and illusions of adulthood. Brody, a youth star himself who never materialized into an A-list adult star, captures the lost potential and melancholia of being a grown up. Using the detective genre, specifically the youth detective sub-genre, to explore adult themes of disillusionment. It's a rather clever idea.
First time feature writer.director Morgan crafts a film that is a bit bitter and sarcastic. It explores the darkness of waking up to the horrors of this world. It's full of ironic flourishes but at it's heart it is story about loss and finding meaning. In that there is some hope and poignancy. Morgan doesn't film his movie with much panache, preferring a plainer, almost television-esque style. Perhaps this is inspired by the genre he's playing with. Instead he just lets his story get told.
The Kid Detective's mystery is interesting enough that it keeps its audience engaged while it gets us to think about Abe's aging plight, his coming to terms with the darkness of the world. It all comes together fairly well, story and moral to the story, to make it an interesting watch.
The Kid Detective
Starring: Adam Brody, Tzi Ma, Sophie Nelisse, Wendy Crewson, Jonathan Whittaker, Jesse Noah Gruman
Writer/Director: Even Morgan
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