Overview"Little Nikita" is an American spy thriller movie released in 1988, directed by Richard Benjamin. The film stars River Phoenix as Jeff Grant and Sidney Poitier as Roy Parmenter. The movie script, composed by John Hill, Bo Goldman and John Lee Hancock, focuses on an FBI representative's exhilarating encounter with a high school boy whose moms and dads are undercover Russian spies.
Setting and CharactersEmbed in '80s cold-war era America, the movie follows the life of Jeff Grant (River Phoenix), a high school senior enthusiastic about joining the Air Force Academy. Unbeknownst to him, his relatively common moms and dads, Elizabeth and Richard Grant, live dual lives as undercover Russian spies. Roy Parmenter (Sidney Poitier), an FBI agent tracking a Russian operative, comes across a surprise espionage network after he investigates Jeff's background for the Academy.
The PlotAgent Parmenter begins to suspect that Jeff's parents are Soviet spies named 'The Sleepers'. His suspicion leads to massive revelations about their real identity and reason for being stationed in the United States, producing unforeseen drama. On the other hand, Jeff's world is turned upside down when he finds out about his moms and dads' genuine identities and intentions. Struggling to understand their secret lives, Jeff needs to face a life he never understood existed, changing his perceptions about his own past and future.
Conflict and ResolutionThe story becomes more tense and thrilling when an old Russian operative, who eliminates other Russian spies who wish to go home, discovers that Jeff's moms and dads have a similar desire. He sets out to kill them. On The Other Hand, Agent Parmenter likewise finds out the danger to Jeff's parents' lives. In the face of serious threat, Jeff, Agent Parmenter, and Jeff's moms and dads should stand together, eradicating the treacherous operative while trying to navigate their extreme individual disputes.
ConclusionIn the climax, a showdown happens between Agent Parmenter and the Russian operative, leading to the operative's death. The injury of the violent encounter and the revelation of their parents' identities leads Jeff and his sibling to the choice to go into hiding. The once-aspiring airman, Jeff, realizes he does not want to sign up with an organization where secrets and lies can so quickly distort lives.
Important Reception"Little Nikita" is an interesting expedition of espionage and the secrets underneath rural life. However, in spite of crucial acclaim for Phoenix and Poitier's efficiencies, the film was not a considerable box-office success. It was admired for its gripping story, completely showing the stress of the Cold War era however slammed for its lack of depth in character development. In general, it is considered an exceptional contribution to the genre of spy thrillers.
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