Remember those episodes of Frasier where the titular character and his brother Niles would reminisce about the detective stories they wrote in the simpler time of their childhood? Well, imagine if those "Crane Boys" mysteries were not only real, but if Frasier and Niles were just bitter washouts who never moved on from those days. That's pretty much The Kid Detective. Are there other, much more well-known child detective stories that would have made for a better analogy? Absolutely. Is this paragraph just a thinly-veiled excuse to talk about the television comfort food known as Frasier for a few seconds? Who's asking?
But now that that's out of the way, The Kid Detective does warrant a bit of a spotlight, especially considering how little it's come up in conversation since its release a few weeks ago. Starring eternal young adult Adam Brody as a former kid detective and current big kid detective, the film shines a light on the life of a prodigy after the fact. As a kid, he solved fun little mysteries around town all in time for dinner. Now, as a self-pitying grownup, he struggles to find that spark again as a private investigator. A young client thrusts him into the world of adult mysteries as she asks him to find her boyfriend's killer, and the dark comedy that ensues seems to be exactly the kind of distraction many people could use right about now.
How does it work as a distraction? Well, the entire premise focuses on the main character's inability (or unwillingness) to move on from what he considers the best years of his life. This sort of story is sure to resonate with many audience members, and not necessarily in a comfortable way. Now, that might not sound like the most pleasant of diversions, but muse on this. If somebody is focusing on themselves, they're focusing less on everything else, and right now, everything else is the problem. But even without the personal connection, The Kid Detective can be worth the time put in.
A veteran of hip young people shows like The O.C. and any guest starring role who would have him, Brody shines through as someone who made his mark in a certain demographic. Luckily for Brody the actor, he's still been getting steady work with films like Shazam! and Ready or Not, so he doesn't have to relate to his character that closely, but it's still clear why he was chosen for the role.
Clearly this view of the film isn't an anomaly, either. Rotten Tomatoes has it at a solid 81%, which might as well be cinematic gold in this, the year of watching stuff. There's an earnest energy to The Kid Detective that connects with the audience and enhances the sympathy for its already endearingly pitiful hero. Besides, who doesn't love a good noir story now and then?
The Kid Detective seems to have flown under the radar for many potential audience members, so hopefully this little nudge is enough to pique some interest. It's just one of countless outlets for the anxious masses to offload some of their worries. So go ahead and check it out, and maybe it'll inspire a craving for something more. Maybe Frasier, for instance (this is called coming full circle, and also an uninspired segue). Self care comes in many forms, and at this point, it seems most of them are perfectly valid.
The Kid Detective is now showing in theaters, so please follow all health and safety regulations when going to see it.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes