User Reviews

I randomly found LITTLE MAN one night and cried during the entire film because I had just left the NICU with my own preemie about a week before. My little one didn't have the same battles, but I can understand first hand the fear and uncertainty these moms went through. Every baby in the NICU is an extension of your own because you know that your child could face the same challenges. This was an accurate depiction of life with a premature baby.

I applaud the faith shown by this family. Nicholas and his family have shown us what love and endurance can bring under the worst of circumstances. I hope they have more normalcy now and thank them for such a moving account.

there are almost no words to describe what this family went through in this adverse situation. first and at the center was this tiny little baby's fight for life. this compelled one mother's heart to give up all she was doing and focus completely on little Nicholas, to will him to live. she was the driving force behind whether he lived or died. the second mother had to pick up the slack at home with another child and all the bills and running of the household. so the second story in this documentary was the relationship between the two women. would they come to see the things that were going on as a family or would this situation drive them apart? it was a very delicate balance that they danced around and somewhere in the middle was an innocent, delicate, in crisis baby boy.

The documentary little man is one of the best documentaries ever made. The documentary follows the life of Nicole and Gwen, a lesbian couple who hires a surrogate to have their second child. The child, Nicholas, is born three months early, and the film follows his struggle to survive against all odds. The film is truly touching. It gives you keen insight into both what the child is going through and what the parents go through. It is truly an incredible film with how in-depth it is into the proceedings that are taken to keep Nicholas alive and the story in it all. I won't ruin the film for anyone. It will bring tears to your eyes and make you believe how precious life is.

5/5 stars.

This documentary was the greatest film I've ever seen!! I had twin micro-preemies who were also born at 25 weeks and weighed 1 pound 9 ounces each. They went through many of the same obstacles that Nicholas went though. little man was so extremely true to life!! There is not one emotion, struggle, worry, battle, or experience that Nicole Conn exaggerated. She documented and told about life with a micro-preemie EXACTLY how it is. It was a very true to life film for me. Nicole Conn captured everything about life with a micro-preemie (or 2!) in an amazingly true light!

I think that this film is a must see for NICU moms. I don't think I could have watched it while my twins were still in the NICU, but now, a year and a half later I found the film to be very healing for me. It was comforting to know that another mom had the same emotions and feelings that I had had while my twins were in the NICU.

This is truly a unique film. I had amazing opportunity to see this film win HBO's Best Feature Audience Award at the Miami film festival this year. And I don't think that's ever been won by a documentary. That's how touching this film is! The filmmakers put their hearts on their sleeves and tell the amazing story of a little fighter named Nicholas. Nicholas had a .00004 percent chance of living. And not only does he fight so hard each and every day through this film, he touches everyones life that he meets. It's so rare for nurses and doctors to become attached to their patients these days, but nicholas' medical family certainly becomes emotionally invested in him. He is an amazing little man.

I can't wait for the DVD to hear the filmmakers discuss the making of this masterpiece.

This film sort of fell into my lap while I was channel surfing last night. When my boyfriend came into the room, I told him, "I'd like to see this, but I don't know that you'd have much interest in it, so I'll just tape it tomorrow and watch it later." He said fine, that we could watch one of our weekly taped programs.

Neither of us touched the remote control. The story of little man Nicholas was *that* captivating. It's also hard to watch at times, and makes you question your own beliefs in regards to where to draw the line with modern medicine as well as the lengths you would go to in order to save your child's life.

The child in this film, Nicholas, is not only afflicted with mysterious congenital issues the doctors can't identify, but the woman carrying him develops a life-threatening condition that requires him to be born roughly halfway through the gestation period or terminated. Some might argue that these developments could have been nature's way of saying, 'No, this child should not be born." Prolonging the lives of premature babies is a highly controversial subject. The child's life -- and quality of life -- isn't the only life affected, of course. Families with preemies (who so frequently become special needs children) struggle and frequently fall apart under the pressure. Not only is this film about the struggle to save a child who has seemingly every strike against him, but it is also about the struggle to save a relationship and a family. Anyone who tries to make the argument that same-sex marriages aren't really marriages should watch this film. These women are a team, every bit as much as any husband/wife team. Yes, they have the difficulties and struggles, but they are a team more dedicated to saving what they have than most of the heterosexual couples I know. I can't begin to count the number of people I know whose heterosexual marriages fell apart after the development of cataclysmic health issues.

Several times throughout this film, I found myself thinking, "I would not be able to do that." I so admire the director of this film for going so public with this very, very personal fight. Several times, I found myself thinking, "Is it fair to put this child through so much? Is it right?" I can't answer the questions about fairness or rightness. After all, I didn't live this situation. It wasn't my child or my relationship. What I will say is this: This film is every bit as joyous as it is wrenching. It's not so much a film to be watched as it is experienced. As I said, my boyfriend and I fully intended to turn away from this film and watch something else. The story, the way it was told, and the honesty with which it was told made turning away impossible.

I have never seen a doc like this in my life. Sheer Genius. Everyone must see this brilliantly told story. I was so moved. This film rocks your core beliefs. Nicholas reminds you how to live. With gusto and determination. I admire his more than anyone I have ever known. His family is the type of family I wish I could call my own. Please take yourself to experience the beauty of little man. God Bless Gewn and Nicole...Mommies who matter. Their life is an inspiration to anyone who ever has faced challenges that they thought impossible to overcome. Belief in the human spirit and dignity of life is what resonates most throughout this film. Normal will never viewed through my eyes in the same way. I learned many lessons while watching this film. None of which the least being that through love, humor, and determination anything is possible. I watched for 1 1/2 hours and learned this lesson quicker than in all my years. The education provided in this film, through the medical world is inspirational and terrifying at the same time. Who knew what we as a society are now capable of doing with all of our gadgets? I do not know what I would do in a situation like this but I do know that I will question, at greater length, the initial impulse that I normally would regrettably grab for. By challenging myself to realize what I have to offer, I can only hope to measure up to the mountain of love that this family lives by. Again, please see this film. It will change your life.

Riveting, compelling, devastating, joyous, emotional, are some of the words that come to mind as I think of "Little Man" the documentary! Viewing this film has been, and will always remain, one of the most significant movie experiences of my entire life (and I see many many films). The experience was enhanced by the fact that director Nicole Conn and producer Danny Jacobsen were present during the screening at the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, and were available for a most impressive Q&A. The journey undertook by Nicole, Gwenn, Gabrielle and little man Nicholas is proof positive of the wondrous possibilities of love, hope, patience and understanding. This is a must see film for all!

Oh my God...I was totally blown away by this doc. In fact, it doesn't even really feel like a documentary -- more like a movie about this family that is thrown into the worst of circumstances and comes out with the best of outcomes... It stayed with me for days and I kept wondering what it is that I would do if I was put into these circumstances. I was especially intrigued by the entire dilemma regarding the pregnancy (I'm not giving anything away here -- it happens early on in the movie) I was so taken by the way this delicate situation was handled and yet the filmmakers were so completely honest. The film stayed with me for days... and I thought about it for weeks afterward... wow and more wow!

This is a very informative documentary about the horrific and horrifically expensive lives of micro-preemies. Nicole Conn cites uncontrollable "maternal instincts" as her excuse for choosing to attempt to keep her micro-preemie alive -- against the wishes of her life partner.

Needless to say, the poor micro-preemie goes through hell because of Nicole Conn's emotional "needs." He will have very severe medical problems and limitations for the rest of his life and require constant very expensive care (e.g. round-the-clock nursing).

Conn's wife (who did not agree with Conn in requesting extreme medical measures to keep the micro-preemie alive) and their young daughter also suffer greatly. And so do the citizens of California who must pay for this micro-preemie's medical expenses, OVER A MILLION DOLLARS in infancy alone and no doubt MANY MILLIONS MORE during the course of his life.

Conn appears to be an incredibly selfish person who is willing to let everybody else suffer in order to get her own emotional "needs" met -- and she refuses to see that her "needs" are really just wants, optional. Although she attempts to vindicate herself, nothing can justify such extraordinary selfishness. It's sad to think of someone who would cause such suffering to get her "needs" met parenting even a healthy child.

(Watch for the element Munchhausen's by proxy: Because her micro-preemie is the center of intense medical attention, she is able to bask in the glow and feel very important herself. On top of all that attention, Conn is simultaneously starring in a documentary about...herself!) I rated this 10 stars because I feel that people need to be aware of how public funds and health care dollars are wasted by amoral people like Conn. We need new laws that will prevent this sort of thing.

That the micro-preemie is now a cute toddler does not justify this: How long will he remain tiny and cute? Who is going to care for him when he is no longer a cute little toddler? Will the older sister, who lost nearly all her mother's attention after his birth (apparently of no concern to Conn), be expected to sacrifice much of her life to care for him? The suffering he went through in the many months before he went home for the hospital was enough to justify stopping the extreme medical measures that were used to keep him alive.

This movie is one of the best I have seen. At times it was hard to watch, but I was rooting till the end for Nicholas. I both cried and laughed in this film because I was feeling the emotions that Nicole was being put through. Ethics seemed to be the issue but you have to watch this movie with an open mind that love alone can save peoples' life. I agree with Nicole Conn, if Nicolas was my son I would have done everything in my power to keep him alive. Get tissues ready as you watch two mothers battle differently with their emotions. Watch a little baby go through hell and come back to a wonderful life and place with two super mommies. I applaud the films creator and director as she made a wonderful choice to do this film.

Although I realize that everyone can have their own opinion about the lengths parents and medical staff go to in regards to micro preemies, you should be cognizant of every angle before you form that opinion.

Let me start by saying that if you have never been in a nicu parents shoes, consider yourself lucky. It's a club that nobody wants to be a member of. You have not had to sit and watch your baby thru a clear plastic isolate and feel absolutely helpless and devastated.

Who are you to cast judgement over decisions someone, who is not you, made for their child? Does that impact your life? Not so much.

I found this documentary years ago and actually corresponded with the family after I cried my eyes out only 30 seconds in. I had a 25 week 0 day micropreemie a year after Nicolas was born. If you switch my sons name with Nicolas', you wouldnt have to change a thing in the doc. We paralleled each other right down to the horrific phone call about baby rupturing his bowel. My son IS Nicolas.

Here is the part most of you negative Nancy's don't seem to realize... every baby has different outcomes even though the story is the same. My son was d/c after 119 days and 6 surgeries. He was 2 lbs and 14 in at birth. His lowest weight was 1 lb 10 oz. . We were prepared by staff (even though my husband and I were firefighter/emts at the time so we already had a solid medical understanding of the risks) for the worst case scenario. Blindness/rop from prolonged oxygen usage. Deafness from the antibiotics. C/P from a traumatic birth. Learning disabilities. Developmental delays. Speech problems. Cardiac/lung issues. GI issues caused by ruptures/the illiostomy (my sons was reversed right before he came home). Basically, there was a very high chance we would be in this family's shoes. For us, that worst case never showed up but it did for Nicholas. My son came home with ZERO medical issues and equipment. No oxygen, no apnea monitors. NOTHING. That's unheard of, especially so many years ago. Do you want to know an update on my son? Just graduated high school right on time. He is currently pursuing his EMT/fire science degree to follow in his dad and I footsteps. The only way you would ever know he was a micropreemie is by looking at his surgical scars and the PDA clamp still in his heart.

So if your theory is that keeping these micropreemies alive is a cruel waste of money/resources, educate yourself. If it was up to you, my son wouldnt be alive. I wouldn't wish the NICU/micro onto my worst enemy. If you have ever thought "what would I do in that situation" be thankful because you're imagining it vs living it.

I transitioned from a street paramedic to NICU RN because of our experiences there. I needed to "pay it forward" and put the survivors guilt to good use and help save other micropreemies and sick neonates. Over the years I have watched countless preemies go home and term babies die. It doesn't make sense. EVERY. SITUATION. IS. DIFFERENT. It speaks volumes to me if you forned your opinions after seeing only 1 families story, take your negativity elsewhere. I can't wrap my head around the "selfish" and "muchhausen" accusations... also, if you are planning on using big words like "munchausen", google it so you actually understand the disorder. Go look it up then put "by proxy" at the end. It's actually been renamed "Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA)". You cant even get your insults right like a bunch of keyboard cowboys.

Also, that waste of resources/$ is really none of your business. My son was double covered since my husband and I weren't married yet and we worked for the same agency. My sons policies were under the same insurance company. We didnt even have so much as a $10 copay. They paid out almost 1 million to the hospital and specialists and I don't lose a bit of sleep over that. They fought it but had no leg to stand on. They couldnt weasel their way out of the amount. The resources/$ used on my son didn't come out of anyone's pocket so you have no grounds to complain about it.