Rich Kids

Directed by Robert M. Young, Rich Kids details the exploits of two New York City 12-year-olds (Trini Alvarado’s Franny and Jeremy Levy’s Jamie) and their squabbling parents (including John Lithgow’s Paul and Terry Kiser’s Ralph). Filmmaker Young, working from Judith Ross’ screenplay, delivers a slow-moving yet increasingly absorbing drama that benefits substantially from its low-key, authentic atmosphere and plethora of above-average performances, with, in terms of the latter, both Alvarado and Levy turning in spellbindingly strong work that’s matched by their various adult costars. (In addition to Lithgow and Kiser’s engaging efforts, Rich Kids boasts compelling performances from folks like Kathryn Walker, Paul Dooley, and David Selby.) The lackadaisical, easy-going vibe does, as a result, grow more and more engrossing as time progresses, and it doesn’t hurt, certainly, that Young has peppered the proceedings with several overtly captivating sequences – including a fantastic interlude in which the various parental figures converge on Ralph’s larger-than-life apartment. (The incredible set design for that apartment certainly has to be seen to be believed.) By the time the note-perfect closing stretch rolls around, Rich Kids has cemented its place as a perceptive and honest piece of work that holds up impressively well all these years later.

***1/2 out of ****