To me, this movie is perfection.

I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Want to see Selene, Dracula, and Tyrion Lannister in one movie?This movie is the answer.The three are awesome.Matthew looks like Michael Corvin in Underworld, only rougher. He would make a wonderful Michael Corvin, a berserk version of the vampire lycan hybrid that unleashes all its immortal power. Sadly, that would never happen.I have gone off the topic... Anyway, I checked out the movie because of the amazing Kate Beckinsale, who portrays my Underworld vampire goddess Selene. This movie only reminded me of how versatile Kate is. She is able to play a range of characters, from badass vampire to sweet beautiful lady.This story asks a thought provoking question: (how well) can you handle your child being different from other people in terms of their physical appearance?

Let me just say something that one Daniel O'Brien of Cracked.com once said of this movie in a Youtube video titled "Officially the Worst Movie Idea Anyone's Ever Had". "Now I'm gonna pitch you a movie, this couple named Steve and Carol have a wonderful relationship. Everything is going well until Carol gets pregnant. Now Steve's deep dark secret is revealed. His entire family is dwarfs... Pretend that I stress that it's not a comedy, it's very, very serious, and let's say for argument's sake that my name is Weiner. I have just pitched you: 'Mr. Weiner's Very Serious Midget Movie'".I really do feel that Mr. O'Brien captures the essence of the film in this alternate title.

This could have been a really good film. I had Tivo'ed it since Im a big fan of Peter Dinklage - but his role was ridiculous as was the story line with him and Patricia Arquette. Gary Oldman was unrecognizable as the brother - I kept looking for him as the story unfolded. He did a great job since he is a great actor, but I cant help wondering if they had Peter Dinklage cast as the brother and eliminated the story line of him as the anarchist romancing Arquette that it may have been more credible. I found it hard to believe that the wife Kate Beckinsale would be so politically incorrect as to refer to the family as midgets. I had deleted it mid film but then retrieved it feeling compelled to see the whole film.

Carol (Kate Beckinsale) is somewhat surprised to find herself pregnant. But, overall, she is happy. Her longtime boyfriend, Stephen (Matthew McConaghey) shows himself to be most unhappy, however, and wants her to get an abortion. That is because he has never told Carol the family secret. Stephen is the "normal" son of a mother and a father who happen to be dwarfs. His brother, Rolfe (Gary Oldman) is also a dwarf. Carol is stunned and frightened to learn that her baby has a chance of being a dwarf, too. When Carol is introduced, finally, to Stephen's family, her outlook brightens and she is ready to embrace her role as a mother, whatever the circumstances. What will Stephen do? This is a most thoughtful movie with a tender look at the subject of dwarfs. Most of us know little or nothing about their situation yet this film is very approachable and enlightening without being didactic. Beckinsale is wonderful as the woman who, although thrust into a difficult position, learns to look at life differently and more lovingly. The other actors are all very fine, especially the cast of dwarfs. The production values of the film are quite high, considering that, for example, Oldman is not a dwarf but must look like one. Most importantly, this is a film that is a stepping stone to a greater understanding between folks of different strokes, as they say. Anyone who wishes to bridge any gaps, be they racial, religious, ethnic, and so on, should arrange a showing among a diverse audience. Everyone will benefit, even as they are caught up in engaging and offbeat tale.