Of course documentaries carry a stigma: they're educational, probably boring and certainly not escapist. If you want to close a few more minds, the fact that Little Man is about a premature baby born by surrogate for a wealthy Californian same-sex couple, you might as well close the books. Frankly, it's probably why this screener sat around for over a year before I picked it up, and why it took me an additional month to get around to viewing it. By way of disclosure, I'm the father of a two-year-old girl (for what that's worth) and after about ten minutes I wasn't sure if I could handle watching all of Little Man. One of the most affecting documentaries I've had the pleasure to watch, Little Man had me near-constantly choking back tears, causing me to question numerous aspects of life, love, family and medicine while leaving me with no answers save one; hope persists.

When political activist/philanthropist Gwendolyn Baba and writer/director Nicole Conn (Claire of the Moon) decide they want to add to their small family, health concerns lead them to choose a surrogate to carry who would become their boy Nicholas. Bizarre circumstances force Nicholas to be delivered by caesarean section 100 days early and at less than one pound of weight. Nicholas's initial chance for survival is less than one one-hundredth of a percent: Little Man details his struggle to survive and thrive, and Conn and Baba's struggle to hold together at all.

Post-facto interviews with the couple and the numerous doctors and nurses, video-confessionals from the couple, footage of home life and extensive footage from the NICU unit at Cedars Hospital where Nicholas was born comprise Little Man. With masterful use of music, gripping editing and a frankly unbelievable story told with genuine emotion, Conn crafts a work that brings you as close to the immense decisions the couple makes as you'd ever want to be. No punches are pulled as doctors talk almost constantly of the dangers Nicholas faces, and frequently bring up the parents' rights to go the 'do not resuscitate' route. Conn doesn't hide the fact that she's almost unreasonably bullheaded about holding on, while Baba thinks it's a bad idea, and the whole thing seems to be tearing them apart.

From a cinematic standpoint, Little Man rushes toward an open conclusion, bringing up serious questions that remain unanswered, while pushing and pulling your emotions with canny skill. When things look terrible, haunting, elegiac tunes play, the music then gradually becomes more propulsive and major-key, buoying our hopes along with the couple's. But soon enough phrases like 'manufactured disability' crop up, and the problems Nicholas will surely face because of the very manner in which he was brought into this world. Obviously medicine has come a long way since the days when ancient Greeks would leave dying folks in the hills for the wolves, but the question remains; at what point is it too much?

Little Man only presents a semi-tacit answer for one family - more to the point, in Conn's mind there was never a question. While honoring both sides of the debate this documentary lands firmly in the camp that employs love as the final arbiter. Looking into Nicholas's eyes, even when he's three-months early from the womb, it's impossible to argue the point.

The DVD

Video:
It seems silly to even get into technical specifics, but for what it's worth, Little Man comes in a widescreen, 16 x 9 ratio and looks very good. Obviously cameras used weren't 35 mm big boys, but the image is mostly clear and sharp (except for late-night scenes and at home confessionals ), and colors are pretty natural. From a filmed standpoint, the interview sequences are excellent and professional-grade, as is pretty much all of the movie. Some scenes have the look and tenor of home-movies on steroids - space constraints in the NICU and the need for filming to be only semi-intrusive at home sometimes are apparent (especially considering lighting), but only when compared to a Ken Burns documentary, for example.

Sound:
5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound or Stereo Audio tracks are another example of the serious intent behind this work. Is it necessary? Why not? That's what today's audiences demand. The music is exquisite sounding (from my stereo speakers) and all dialog and interviews are mixed well and easy to understand, even in the chaos of the NICU.

Extras:
A bassinette full of extras should also sweeten the pot for dedicated DVD fanatics who need something more. Eight minutes of a Family Update & Thanks Yous satisfies some of that need to know more. It's about half update and half thank yous and credits, but is a very welcome extra. Five Deleted Scenes total over 15 minutes, and are just as touching or informative as what remains. There's more focus on their daughter Gabrielle for instance, and most was probably excised primarily due to time constraints. A goofy one-plus minute look at Nicole's Fashion Sense is a nice way to bring some additional smiles. A two-minute Excerpt from 'The Nurses' has bits from another documentary about those NICU nurses who helped Nicholas and so many others. It's not the most smashing peek at what is probably more greatness. The NICU is another seven minutes of excerpts from The Nurses, going into greater detail about the stresses these nurses face. Also Available previews in 16 minutes eight Reel Indies movies (including Little Man). Further, there is the Theatrical Trailer for Little Man. Nicole Conn contains a 20-minute Q&A with the director, a minute-long graphic with blurbs about Conn's public speaking engagements and contact information. The Little Man film Script is available on the disc in PDF, as is a page with information about ordering NICU survivor dog tags, should you have the need to commemorate a similar 'preemie' experience.

Final Thoughts:
Parents and prospective parents will find Little Man overpowering, but even the most callous, shallow or opinionated viewer (yes, you know you're out there ...) should give it a chance. Incredibly potent, tragic and redemptive, this is a documentary for the ages. It's imminently compelling viewing that calls for a follow-up movie, but simply as an expertly assembled story, and regardless of political and social implications or documentary-stigma, it's Highly Recommended.

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