Actor Michael Rapaport stars in Little Boy as the father of the titular “little boy” Pepper Flynt Busbee (Jakob Salvati).

Michael Rapaport On ‘Little Boy’

In Little Boy, Rapaport’s character James Busbee is a doting dad that loves nothing more than playing with his son Pepper. When he’s called to join the fray in World War II, it leaves Pepper and the rest of his family devastated. Pepper, determined to bring his father home, believes that through faith and pure will, he can end the war and get his dad back.

“Jakob Salvati does a fantastic job at carrying this film,” Rapaport told uInterview exclusively, adding of the film, “It was just a beautifully, well written script. It had a lot of sentimental themes and it’s just really positive. The great actors – Emily Watson, and Kevin James, and David Henry. It’s just very well put together and I think the end result was even beyond my expectations.”

In order to play James Busbee, Rapaport spent some time bonding with Little Boy‘s young star. According to Rapaport, developing the father-son chemistry was an easy task, largely due to Salvati’s genuine nature. His earnestness carried through in his performance, which Rapaport said inspired the more veteran actors on set.

“He’s kind of a what you see what you get little kid. Once we started filming, he was magic, and all the actors were really inspired by what he was doing,” said the actor. “It was just very honest and very genuine for an actor of any age and it really pushed all the adults to try to be as honest and genuine as he was because it was kind like knocks you back on your heels, you know. His performance is just outstanding.”

Rapaport, who admits that filming Little Boy reminded him of the value of his own family, believes that the film is an important one.

“It’s the type of film that will be around forever I think,” Rapaport said. “The movie is really just an emotional ride about the power of the mind and belief and believing in miracles and never giving up, and it’s a real pleasure to have been a part of ‘Little Boy.’ It’s a type of movie that doesn’t get made that often anymore, and I’m really looking forward to people getting a chance to see it.”

Little Boy is currently in wide release.