Hollywood Reviews and Movie Trivia

"Little Man" has just the right amount of comedy and life messages from Wayans brothers Shawn and Marlon, and directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and scores a C

The Wayans brothers, fresh from their last movie "White Chicks", come together once again for another round of movie madness with their off-the-wall sketch like comedy in "Little Man".

The main story is pretty simplistic. It's the series of comedy sketches along with the pacing of the movie that keeps "Little Man" moving along. The Wayans had a lot of practice at this early on with their popular TV show "In Living Color" which ran from 1990-1994 and launched the careers of such present day notables as Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, Tommy Davidson, David Alan Grier, and Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx.

"Little man" starts with Darryl (Shawn Wayans) and his wife Vanessa (Kerry Washington) having celebratory dinner out. Darryl thinks it's to pass along news of his wife's pregnancy. Instead he learns of a long awaited, expected promotion at work. We also learn that Darryl longs to be a father and start family, he wife has apprehensions, namely the time isn't right.

Meanwhile, petty criminal Calvin (Shawn Wayans), who's all of 3 feet tall, gets out of prison and is met by his right hand man Percy (Tracy Morgan). They have their eye set on the heist of a diamond. A pretty creative plan is put into motion to get it. All goes well except the getaway from the jewelry store. Not to be caught with the diamond on their person, it's slipped into the purse of Vanessa while she and Darryl are shopping. Calvin and Percy follow the couple to their suburban home. To get the diamond back, the two devise a plan: disguised as a baby, Calvin is left abandoned at the doorstep of Darryl and Vanessa house! The zaniness of the pace of the story picks up as social services is closed for the weekend. Darryl and Vanessa adjust to having a 'baby' for the weekend as Calvin (the baby) on the inside and Percy (his henchman) on the outside, try to get the diamond.

What makes the movie work is that it encompasses the aspects of family life for Darryl and Vanessa and their friends, relatives and neighbors as they all offer advice, activities, and try to help with the adjustment for the weekend as Darryl and Vanessa try to cope with the instant arrival of a not so small 'baby' with ulterior motives! An added touch is the veteran actor John Witherspoon as "Pops", Vanessa's dad, who lives with them, adds comedic insight as he copes with the new weekend addition to the house.

Grade: C