Manny & Lo (1996)

Manny & Lo feels special because it treats a messy, risky situation with a light touch and a big heart, finding humor not in cruelty but in the girls’ scrappy, stubborn will to make a family out of thin air. The film’s charm is wonderfully understated, letting small looks and awkward conversations carry the emotional weight, and it builds a surprisingly magical sense of connection without ever turning syrupy. There’s an uplifting, nuanced rhythm to the way it balances comedy and drama, anchored by performances that make these characters feel lived-in—especially a young Scarlett Johansson, who’s quietly magnetic. It’s not for viewers who want a fast, plot-heavy ride, but if you like intimate indie stories that sneak up on you and leave you warmer than you expected, this one is a small gem.

Manny & Lo is aiming for an offbeat, indie blend of comedy and drama about two foster kids improvising their own version of family, and it has a scrappy charm that comes through in the performances and oddball premise. The catch is that the story can feel slight and a bit contrived, with plot turns that seem engineered to keep the setup going rather than growing naturally. It’s a small movie in every sense—more mood and character quirks than a deeply satisfying narrative arc—and the tonal shifts occasionally misstep. If you want a tight, emotionally weighty drama or a big laugh-out-loud comedy, this probably won’t land, but if you’re patient with rough edges and like intimate ’90s indies, it may still be worth your time.