Little Red Wagon (Anspaugh, 2012)

Last updated on: April 3, 2015 at 9:35 pm by Kenneth R. Morefield

Little Red Wagon (Anspaugh, 2012) 2015-04-03T21:35:01-05:00 Kenneth R. Morefield

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Little Red Wagon is the type of film that will have reviewers scrambling for a thesaurus, trying to figure out how many different ways they can wax about its earnestness. The story of how Zach Bonner of Tampa, Florida becomes a disaster-relief activist reads like a socially minded Pay It Forward or a “What Would Jesus Do?” parable without all the religious talk. The simple narrative and self-consciously “PG” script will no doubt prompt Lifetime movie comparisons from some (sarcastic) circles, but a strong cast and crew keep the film from succumbing to excessive bathos.

The biggest weakness is that there simply isn’t much story to develop a movie around. Bonner’s story makes for many a feel-good local newscast, whether he is collecting water for hurricane victims, wheedling wholesale yo-yos from a local merchant, or walking to the state capital to raise awareness for…something or other. Zach’s intentions are good, and while the film evidences some mild curiosity about the details (Zach and his mom struggle to figure out the paper work necessary to qualify for non-profit status needed to use cash donations), there never develops any real conflict to give the episodic relief efforts a differentiated narrative significance.

To compensate, the film gestures at various subplots. There are hints of sibling jealousy and some domestic strife between Zach’s mother and sister, but nothing so serious that can’t be resolved with cooler heads and heartfelt conversation. A “B” story involving a newly homeless mother and her son puts a human face on the sufferers that Zach is helping. It avoids simplistic answers, but it, too, feels more illustrative than dramatic.

What ultimately makes Little Red Wagon passable rather than just well-intentioned is the acting. Each performer gives a restrained, toned down performance. Chandler Canterbury gives Zach a wholesome quality but avoids any mugging or hint of precociousness. (Director David Anspaugh helps, too, with judicious use of reaction shots that keep Zach or others from having to verbalize everything.) Anna Gunn plays Zach’s mom credibly, gradually shifting from suprised at to supportive of her son’s efforts. She has one rousing “I’m proud of you” speech, but it is short and saved to the end. Frances O’Connor, saddled with the harder job of having to interject some darkness and desperation into the script paints a credible picture of a woman putting the best face on things for her son while having to deal with her own rising panic.

Little Red Wagon ends with the now seemingly obligatory real-life footage of the people upon whom the movie is based. There are a number of places where the film feels conventional, but that footage is the only place where it feels lazy.

When the film is over, viewers may feel as though they have been preached at more than entertained or challenged, but it isn’t a bad message to hear.

Previous Post

January 10, 2013

2012 NCFCA Awards

Next Post

January 19, 2013 Crossroad (Youssefian 2012)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 10 Years Later 1999 Top 5 2007 Top 10 2008 Favorite Discoveries 2008 Top 10 2009 Favorite Discoveries 2009 Top 10 2010 Favorite Discoveries 2010 Top 10 2011 Top 10 2012 Top Ten 2013 Top Ten 2014 Top Ten Best Picture Winners Christian Spotlight on Entertainment Christianity Today Coming Soon Disclosure Disclosure--AS Disclosure--Book Disclosure--DVDS Disclosure--SEOL Disclosure--Travel Dissenting Opinion Elsewhere Emergenetics Essays Featured Film Fest DC--2014 Film Festivals Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2010 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2011 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2012 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2013 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2014 Headline Interviews Laura on the Oscar Winners Podcasts Quick Impressions Reviews RiverRun Film Festival 2014 Television The Criterion Collection The Thin Place To Stream or Not to Stream? Top 10s and Other Lists Toronto International Film Festival 2009 Toronto International Film Festival 2010 Toronto International Film Festival 2011 Toronto International Film Festival 2012 Toronto International Film Festival 2013 Toronto International Film Festival 2014 Uncategorized Video Virginia Film Festival 2011 Virginia Film Festival 2013 Women's Film Festival 2012

Select a Month February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "All things work together for good"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Peter Paul James