... and a character you don't like.

For the first, say, 3/4s of the movie, you're not supposed to like him or root for him. You're seeing him through the eyes of his mom, to whom he's an absolute nightmare. That's the point. And, in that regard, it's an insanely good and natural performance for an actor so young.

Now, the argument about making the child so annoying making the film less effective? A totally valid complaint and argument. I would obviously disagree personally, but I would absolutely get if someone said they simply don't like watching a kid that annoying for so long and that a character like that has no place in a movie if the filmmakers want an audience to be absorbed. A totally understandable opinion.

I just take issue with saying the kid's performance wasn't good. I think the fact that so many in here vehemently hated the kid is testament to the fact that his performance captured the character beautifully.

Just my opinion, though.