All These Small Moments

''All These Small Moments'' is a 2018 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Melissa Miller Costanzo. The film stars Molly Ringwald, Brian d'Arcy James, Brendan Meyer, Sam McCarthy, Harley Quinn Smith and Jemima Kirke. It was produced by Lauren Avinoam, Katie Leary, and Jed Mellick. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 24, 2018, and was released in the United States on January 17, 2019, by Orion Classics.

The film received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised its performances and intimate storytelling. However, it had a limited theatrical release and modest box office performance.

Plot

Sixteen-year-old Howie Sheffield lives in Brooklyn with his younger brother, Simon, and their parents, Tom and Carla. His parents’ marriage is deteriorating due to Tom’s infidelity. Tension grows in the household, and Howie and Simon quietly observe the emotional distance between their parents.

Howie becomes increasingly drawn to Odessa, an older woman he frequently sees on his daily bus ride. He follows her one day and begins a tentative conversation, developing a fascination that borders on obsession. His fixation on Odessa becomes an emotional refuge from the instability at home.

At school, Howie develops a connection with a classmate, Lindsay, who is dealing with her own social struggles. Their bond grows slowly and becomes a more grounded and mutual relationship compared to Howie’s idealized view of Odessa.

As Howie’s parents move toward separation, he starts to process the emotional weight of the situation. A series of personal experiences—his interactions with Odessa, his relationship with Lindsay, and witnessing his parents’ disintegration—lead him to a deeper understanding of intimacy, adulthood, and emotional responsibility.

Cast

*Molly Ringwald as Carla Sheffield
*Brian d'Arcy James as Tom Sheffield
*Brendan Meyer as Howie Sheffield
* Sam McCarthy as Simon Sheffield
*Harley Quinn Smith as Lindsay
*Jemima Kirke as Odessa
*Roscoe Orman as Dr. Rogers
*David Joseph Craig as Customer
*Salena Qureshi as Katie
*Spenser Granese as Odessa's Husband
*Derek Michalak as Sebastian
*Jazzy Williams as Becca
*Margot Steinberg as Felicity Kavanagh
*Elijah Boothe as Carter
*Connor Johnston as Kevin
*Charlie Oh as Harry
*Evan Dominguez as Eduardo

Release

''All These Small Moments'' premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 24, 2018. On October 18, 2018, Orion Classics acquired the distribution rights. It was released theatrically in the United States on January 17, 2019, by Orion Classics.

Reception

''All These Small Moments'' received generally favorable reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 83% approval rating based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Though this sweet, subtle, and sentimental work is a smidge too simplistic in narrative design, it wins over any resistance with its quiet refinement and heartrending insight." On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 60 out of 100, based on 7 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews."

Courtney Howard of ''Variety'' praised the film as "sweet, subtle, and sentimental," noting that although the storyline may be simplistic, it is elevated by its refinement and emotional depth. Similarly, Karl Delossantos of ''Smash Cut Reviews'' described it as "a charming, well-acted New York City coming-of-age set against a family-in-crisis drama," highlighting the authenticity of the family dynamics portrayed.

James Berardinelli of ''ReelViews'' remarked that the film "offers a mix of honesty and artifice," acknowledging that while some scenes resonate with genuine emotional weight, others feel more constructed. Hunter Heilman of ''Elements of Madness'' called the film "a surprisingly refreshing mix of clever dialogue and fabulous performances," praising its intimate scale and performances.

However, not all critics were as positive. Andrew Lapin of ''NPR'' commented that the film "strains to endear itself to viewers," suggesting that the characters lack sufficient depth and the narrative avoids meaningful conflict. The ''Los Angeles Times'' echoed a similar sentiment, noting that while the film contains poignant moments, the characters often make decisions that feel implausible or underdeveloped.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 1922544, All These Small Moments

2018 films
2010s English-language films
American drama films
Orion Pictures films
2018 drama films
2010s American films