Little Darlings 4K UHD Is the Pick of the Week

During the late ’70s and early ’80s, there was an abundance of teen flicks, usually centered around virginity, shenanigans, peer pressure, and sexuality. However, I think that 1980’s Little Darlings, directed by Ron Maxwell, rose above those themes (despite having them) to deliver a modest but contemporary portrait of female sexuality and the unexpected intensity of female friendships.

It’s summertime at Camp Little Wolf, and two teenage girls from different backgrounds, wealthy Ferris (Tatum O’Neal) and tough Angel (Kristy McNichol) are forced to get along during their time at the camp. Along with them is hippie Sunshine (a young Cynthia Nixon), Penny (Abby Bluestone), and young actress Cinder (Krista Errickson), the star of the camp, who instigates a contest between Ferris and Angel to see who can be can deflowered (a dated term for losing your virginity, by the way) first. Ferris sets her sights on camp counselor Gary (a hairy, hunky Armand Assante) while Angel hunts for Randy (Matt Dillon, during his young heartthrob days), a local from another camp. As the tension between Ferris and Angel increases, so does the reality where the obvious consequences of both their quests could change lives forever.

Yes, the film does have its fair share of silliness and teenage chaos, but it manages to add more realism to its overall premise, one that class status, female experience, and the dangers of little girls wanting to be big girls. Both O’Neal and McNichol are really good and genuine as the leads, trying to be more than just young idols (which they were at that time), giving performances of unexpected range and maturity. The supporting cast are reliable and colorful, but this coming-of-age cult classic belongs to O’Neal and McNichol.

I honestly don’t why this particular film needed to be on 4K UHD, but I bet it looks really good and clean (especially with its 2.35:1 widescreen format). The new release (from Cinematographe, a division of Vinegar Syndrome) also some nifty special features, including two commentaries: one with Maxwell, the other by podcaster Millie De Chirico; new interview with Maxwell; intro to the T.V. version; alternate scenes; and a new video essay by writer Samm Deighan. There is also a 40-page booklet with new essays by critics Quatoyiah Murry and Kate Hagen, and a comic strip by Nicole Testa LaLiberty.

Since there weren’t any previous home video releases, then I think that this brand new 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo will be a solid addition to your collection, especially if you happen to be a fan of the film (and late ’70s/early ’80s nostalgia).

Other releases:

The Roaring Twenties (Criterion): Raoul Walsh’s 1939 gangster classic starring James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Jeffrey Lynn as three WWI Army buddies who get mixed up with the mob after coming home from the war.

Fear and Desire (Kino): An early Kubrick effort about four trapped soldiers behind enemy lines who must confront their fears and desires.

Contagion 4K UHD (Warner): Steven Soderbergh’s disturbingly prevalent 2011 thriller about a global viral pandemic spreading as people become severely ill, and harried doctors struggle to contain the disease.

Dream Scenario (Lionsgate): Nicholas Cage stars as a lonely professor who becomes an overnight sensation after appearing in the dreams of anyone he comes in contact with.