- Harry Eden (12) as Paul in Pure
- Sarah (11) and Emma (6) Bolger as Christy and Ariel in In America
- Shareeka Epps (17) as Drey in Half Nelson
- Natalie Portman (13) as Mathilda in Leon
- Keisha Castle Hughes (12) as Peikea in Whale Rider
Incidentally, I think it’s interesting to note that three of the films on this list would probably make it on to a list of my top 20 films of all time. Can you guess which three?
There are also honorable mentions for Jodie Foster (14) as Iris in Taxi Driver, Haley Joel Osmnet (11) as Cole in The Sixth Sense and Jack Rovello (8) as Richie in The Hours. I heard a really interesting snippet from Stephen Daldry (director of The Hours) about how he got such a wonderful, natural performance from Jack Rovello. What he did was to sit off camera and tell the boy stories that provoked the emotions required in the scene – I think this is pure genius, a great way to direct a child who is possibly too young to really understand the complexity of the story his character is in.
Filed under: Film
Those three films that would make it on to my top 20 of all time list are Pure, In America and Leon. In case you couldn’t guess.
The child in Cinema Paradiso would have my vote. Perhaps also the child in Water.