Todd Field’s 2006 film tracks the mass hysteria that spreads throughout a suburban community when a convicted child sex offender moves in. But that widespread panic only momentarily masks the dread, grief, and overall melancholy plaguing many of the town’s residents. One positive effect, however, is that it brings the film's insanely appealing leads -- Patrick Wilson and Kate Winslet -- together for some scorching (if impromptu and totally extramarital) sex on a washing machine.

After watching Little Children, you’ll never see your local swimming pool in quite the same way again.



Ah, 1950s America: An idyllic existence dominated by Ozzie and Harriet, baseball, gumdrops, and lollipops, right?

Or maybe not.

In his mission to further destroy American suburbia, Sam Mendes (of American Beauty) returns with this 2008 film based on the award-winning Richard Yates novel.

The film’s irrefutable conclusion? Absolutely nothing on the face of the earth is more completely soul-crushing than suburban life.