Cady's Take:

"Tiptoes" stars Gary Oldman as a dwarf named Rolfe, and Matthew McConaughey as his normal sized twin brother Steven. Steven has been hiding the fact that his family consists entirely of little people, but when his fiancé Carol (Kate Beckinsale) gets pregnant, he feels that it's his duty to inform her that their child could be born with the condition.

Meanwhile, Rolfe's French friend, Maurice (Peter Dinklage) who is also a little person, embarks on an affair with a pretty, normal-sized hitchhiker (Patricia Arquette). Maurice and Lucy serve absolutely no function in the film whatsoever, but I am glad they were in it because they were my favorite characters.

"Tiptoes" comes up short in many departments. Although the film is obviously well intentioned, it's too preachy and ineptly made to succeed in enlightening viewers about dwarfism. It can be quite enjoyable when it's working, but melodramatic when it's not. It feels too much like an after school special about how we should all accept those who are different.

The movie wasn’t a complete waste of time, it did have good moments. It really teaches a valuable lesson- when it comes to the important things in life, it's the little ones that truly matter.

“Tiptoes” is, in a word, charming. When Cady described it I was not enthused: “Matthew McConaughey (Steven) is married to Kate Beckensale (Carol). When she finds out she is pregnant he has to tell her that his whole family – except for him of course – are dwarves.”

Huh?

I am pleasantly surprised at the quality of the script and the sensitivity of the material in “Tiptoes”. This is a completely lovely, dare I say heartwarming tale about families and relationships. Little people are treated with a great deal of – I want to say dignity, or respect – but maybe “normalcy” is a better word. The issues are presented in a straightforward fashion. This is a very honest movie. There is an especially funny scene where Steven’s and Carol’s parents meet for the first time and discuss the problems of a “mixed” marriage. Gary Oldman plays Rolfe…and I didn’t find that out until after I watched the movie. I have no idea if that is un-PC or not, but he did a wonderful job as Steven’s twin brother. Peter Dinklage also appears as a “French revolutionary” thinker of sorts – mostly he’s drunk and fighting with his girlfriend Lucy (Patricia Arquette) who he found by the side of the road in the beginning of the film.

Not the best movie I have ever seen, but another of those films you can rent that will exceed expectations. Ambitious and sweet, “Tiptoes” is a solid rent.