Little Secrets

Little Secrets

Year: 2002

Runtime: 96 min

Language: Unknown language

Director: Blair Treu

DramaComedyMusicFamily

In 1960s Luxembourg, young Norbi experiences the complexities of growing up. He grapples with wanting more freedom while still appreciating the security of his childhood. While exploring his surroundings, he uncovers unexpected truths about himself and his community. Norbi must then learn to navigate the challenges of adolescence and discover his place in a world filled with change and unexpected revelations.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Little Secrets (2002)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Little Secrets (2002). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2000s

The events unfold in a contemporary suburban setting, emphasizing school, family gatherings, and neighborhood interactions. The time period shapes how secrets travel among friends and family, including the secret-keeping booth and the looming audition. The era provides a realistic backdrop for the coming-of-age journey and the social dynamics at play.

Location

Salt Lake City, Utah

Set in a quiet Salt Lake City neighborhood, the film follows a teenage violinist and her neighbors through a summer of practice, secrets, and family changes. The city’s community vibe—schools, auditions, and close-knit friendships—frames the stakes and the emotional weight of adolescence. The setting emphasizes ordinary life that is touched by extraordinary personal revelations.

🏙️ Suburban setting 🎶 Music-centered community

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:30

Main Characters – Little Secrets (2002)

Meet the key characters of Little Secrets (2002), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Emily (Evan Rachel Wood)

Emily is a 14-year-old aspiring concert violinist living in Salt Lake City. She runs a secret-keeping booth for neighborhood kids, while hiding the fact that she is adopted. The mounting pressure from secrets and family changes threatens her focus on the violin, culminating in a hospital stay after a rooftop fall that interrupts her audition. Her arc resolves with embracing honesty and a strengthened sense of belonging.

🎻 Violinist 🗝️ Secret-keeper 💔 Adoption

Philip (Michael Angarano)

Philip is a 12-year-old boy who moves in next door and quickly develops a crush on Emily. He breaks his father’s valuable chess piece and tries to hide it, later stealing Emily’s clients to boost his own secret-keeping operation. His jealousy and ambition drive conflict, but his experiences with Emily lead to growth and a realization that honesty matters in friendships.

🎹 Piano student 🗣️ Attention-seeker 💔 Jealousy

David (David Gallagher)

David is a 15-year-old brother who returns home from tennis camp after an incident involving beer and a car accident that injures another driver. He is drawn to Emily, which complicates their dynamic and tests their boundaries. He reveals his own secret to Emily, helps support her decision to stop keeping secrets, and ultimately helps secure her place in the youth orchestra by sharing a tape of her playing.

🎾 Tennis-player 🛡️ Protective 🌟 Reconciliation

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:30

Major Themes – Little Secrets (2002)

Explore the central themes of Little Secrets (2002), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Secrets

Secrets drive the plot and test every relationship. Emily’s secret-keeping booth and her hidden adoption create a pressure cooker of trust and doubt among friends and family. As secret after secret collides—David’s accident, Philip’s manipulation, and Emily’s own truth—the chorus of consequences grows louder. The arc culminates in choosing honesty over concealment, restoring trust and voice.

👪 Family

Family dynamics are at the heart of the emotional drama, with Emily navigating jealousy over her parents’ excitement for a new baby. The siblings’ secrets and loyalties reveal complex bonds and competing needs for attention and belonging. Grace’s arrival reshapes the family landscape and motivates Emily to reframe her relationship with loved ones. The story suggests that honesty strengthens family ties more than secret-keeping ever could.

🌱 Growth

The film chronicles personal growth as characters face the consequences of their choices. Emily learns that truth-telling and vulnerability build stronger connections than secrecy and manipulation. Philip and David confront their own insecurities, leading to healthier dynamics with Emily and among themselves. By the end, honesty, forgiveness, and mutual support help everyone move forward.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:30

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Unlock the Full Story of Little Secrets

Don't stop at just watching — explore Little Secrets in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Little Secrets is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Little Secrets Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Little Secrets, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Little Secrets Summary

Little Secrets Timeline

Track the full timeline of Little Secrets with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Little Secrets Timeline

More About Little Secrets

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More About Little Secrets

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