Little

Nerdy teenager Jordan Sanders’s (Marsai Martin) self-confidence is shattered when a cheerleader (Eva Carlton) humiliates her at a middle-school talent show. From that moment on, Jordan is determined to become successful, rich, and mean—because “nobody bullies the boss.” True to her word, adult Jordan (Regina Hall) is an Atlanta tech CEO who enjoys making life miserable for her assistant, April Williams (Issa Rae)—and everyone else—until one day a little girl wishes that Jordan were “little,” so she couldn’t get away with such obnoxious behavior. When Jordan awakens the next morning, she’s an awkward 13-year-old (Martin again), facing the dreaded eighth grade. Gone are her designer clothes, BMW sports car, and the ability to unwind at the end of the day with a glass of wine. Her outrageous flirtation with a horrified teacher (Justin Hartley) is one of the film’s most memorable moments. Learning the lesson of humility doesn’t come easily to Jordan. Eventually she concludes that: “Everyone thinks you have to grow up to know who you are, but kids already know who we are…the world just beats it out of us.” Directed by Tina Gordon Chism, this is an intermittently engaging but all-too-formulaic comedy about the long term effects of adolescent bullying. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by co-writer/director Tina Gordon, the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Marsai Martin Presents…” (9 min.) and “Regina Goes Method” (6 min.), the production segments “More than a Little Talent” (4 min.), “Black Momma Whuppin’ Situation” (3 min.), and “Issa Rae’s Assistant Survival Guide” (3 min.), and a gag reel (5 min.), Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so comedy.] (S. Granger)