Tadpole (2002)
A charming, sharp-witted indie comedy about a precocious prep school student whose Thanksgiving holiday takes an unexpected romantic turn.
Tadpole - Movie Information
- Original Title: Tadpole
- Release Year: 2002
- Directed by: Gary Winick
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 19m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 9, 2003 (Czech Republic - 12+)
- Alternative Titles: 蝌蚪 (CN), Ловелас (RU)
- Production Companies: Dolly Hall Productions, IFC Productions, InDigEnt
- Production Countries: United States of America
Tadpole - Plot
Beautiful, sophisticated women are all over Oscar Grubman. He is sensitive and compassionate, speaks French fluently, is passionate about Voltaire, and thinks the feature that tells the most about a woman is her hands. On the train home from Chauncey Academy for the Thanksgiving weekend, Oscar confides in his best friend that he has plans for this vacation--he will win the heart of his true love. But there is one major problem--Oscar's true love is his stepmother Eve.
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Tadpole - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Gary Winick
Main Cast
- Aaron Stanford
- Sigourney Weaver
- John Ritter
- Bebe Neuwirth
- Robert Iler
- Adam LeFevre
- Peter Appel
- Alicia Van Couvering
- Kate Mara
- Ron Rifkin
Writers
- Gary Winick
- Niels Mueller
- Heather McGowan
Producers
- Gary Winick
- Alexis Alexanian
- Dolly Hall
Tadpole - FAQs
Where can you watch Tadpole online?
Tadpole is available to rent or buy digitally through Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. It is not currently included in any major subscription streaming library, so purchasing or renting through one of these platforms is the easiest way to watch the film.
Who plays Oscar Grubman in Tadpole?
Oscar Grubman is played by Aaron Stanford, who delivers a charming and nuanced performance as the precocious prep school student. Sigourney Weaver plays his stepmother Eve, John Ritter plays his father Stanley, and Bebe Neuwirth plays Diane, a friend of Eve's who becomes entangled in Oscar's romantic misadventures.
What is Tadpole (2002) about?
Tadpole follows Oscar Grubman, a sophisticated 15-year-old prep school student who returns home for Thanksgiving with one goal: winning the heart of his stepmother Eve. Fluent in French and devoted to Voltaire, Oscar is more comfortable with older women than girls his own age, leading to a series of comedic and awkward romantic entanglements.
Is Tadpole based on a true story?
No, Tadpole is not based on a true story. The film is an original screenplay written by Niels Mueller and Heather McGowan, developed under director Gary Winick. It is a fictional coming-of-age comedy-drama exploring the comedic consequences of a teenage boy's infatuation with his stepmother.
What is the age rating for Tadpole?
Tadpole is rated PG-13 in the United States, meaning it may contain material unsuitable for children under 13. The rating reflects the film's mature romantic themes, including a teenage boy's infatuation with an older woman and the comedic situations that arise from it.
How long is the movie Tadpole?
Tadpole has a runtime of 79 minutes, making it a lean and briskly paced comedy. Its compact length suits the film's light, witty tone, keeping the story focused and energetic without overstaying its welcome.
Did Tadpole win any awards or critical recognition?
Tadpole premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002, where it generated considerable buzz and was picked up by IFC Films. The film earned praise for Sigourney Weaver's performance and its sharp, witty script. It was noted as one of the early successes of the low-budget digital filmmaking movement championed by InDigEnt.
Who directed Tadpole and how was it filmed?
Tadpole was directed by Gary Winick and produced under the InDigEnt banner, a production model that encouraged filmmakers to work with digital video cameras and minimal budgets. The film was shot on digital video with a budget of approximately $150,000, exemplifying the low-cost, high-creativity ethos of early 2000s independent cinema.
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