David O'ConnellAn unforgettable trip down Mean Creek
May 22nd 2008 03:54
One of the most riveting films of recent times was an independent film by a young American director named Jacob Aaron Estes (in his feature debut), who also wrote the thought-provoking screenplay. It’s a story about a group of teenagers who take a scenic river ride, but for one of them - a despised bully who is lured by the deception of the others into thinking they want to be his friend - things may not be how they appear on the surface.
Mean Creek, released in 2004, is a powerful film about revenge and the possible consequences that await judgement on the other side, and the nature of responsibility. For this group of teenagers, any price they have to pay will be a heavy one with far-reaching ramifications for their lives. It’s not only the main players on this trip who’ll be victims but all those present.
We first meet Sam (Rory Culkin), a meek and mild teenager, who often finds himself on the receiving end of the school bully’s attention – the bully, George (Josh Peck) is an overweight kid who recklessly uses his bulk to intimidate and dominate his classmates. But after coming home from another typical day at school, Sam’s older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) decides that enough is enough and that a lesson of some description is in order as a means of payback against George.
He decides on a river trip, employing the help of a couple of his own friends, and convinces Sam to slyly coax George into believing that he bears no grudge and wants to be friends for the purposes of luring him out onto the water with them for their trip. Also coming along as a further complication will be Millie (Carly Schroeder), a schoolmate who Sam is very close to.
An internal struggle of will and conscience will soon follow on this trip down ‘Mean Creek’ as Sam fights the contrary forces within himself – wanting to see some retribution and teach George a lesson for all his bullying, but not wanting to take things as far as his enthusiastic brother would like. He has to fight against his own nature in deciding if he's willing to carry out some form of revenge - and if so, how far is he willing to go?
This crew of teenagers sets off on their river journey with their playfulness, their sense of adventure and their youthful pretensions intact but by the end of the day will find themselves inhabiting a far less innocent world than the one they’ve known until now.
What’s so impressive about this ultimately somber tale is how assuredly its writer/director, Estes, deals with its important themes in its final act, not allowing easy answers for us or his characters, faced as they are with a moral quandary or two as the bleak mood of the afternoon deepens. And the wonderful ensemble of young actors are more than up to the task as well, providing weight and substance beyond their years to these sometimes challenging roles. The tomandandy (Tom Hadju/Andy Milburn) score is one of the duo’s most melodic and sparsely used it really is the perfect musical accompaniment.
Mean Creek is a wonderful film and compulsory viewing for anyone looking for another, previously undiscovered, small gem of American cinema.
Mean Creek, released in 2004, is a powerful film about revenge and the possible consequences that await judgement on the other side, and the nature of responsibility. For this group of teenagers, any price they have to pay will be a heavy one with far-reaching ramifications for their lives. It’s not only the main players on this trip who’ll be victims but all those present.
We first meet Sam (Rory Culkin), a meek and mild teenager, who often finds himself on the receiving end of the school bully’s attention – the bully, George (Josh Peck) is an overweight kid who recklessly uses his bulk to intimidate and dominate his classmates. But after coming home from another typical day at school, Sam’s older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) decides that enough is enough and that a lesson of some description is in order as a means of payback against George.
He decides on a river trip, employing the help of a couple of his own friends, and convinces Sam to slyly coax George into believing that he bears no grudge and wants to be friends for the purposes of luring him out onto the water with them for their trip. Also coming along as a further complication will be Millie (Carly Schroeder), a schoolmate who Sam is very close to.
An internal struggle of will and conscience will soon follow on this trip down ‘Mean Creek’ as Sam fights the contrary forces within himself – wanting to see some retribution and teach George a lesson for all his bullying, but not wanting to take things as far as his enthusiastic brother would like. He has to fight against his own nature in deciding if he's willing to carry out some form of revenge - and if so, how far is he willing to go?
Rory Culkin and Carly Schroeder
This crew of teenagers sets off on their river journey with their playfulness, their sense of adventure and their youthful pretensions intact but by the end of the day will find themselves inhabiting a far less innocent world than the one they’ve known until now.
What’s so impressive about this ultimately somber tale is how assuredly its writer/director, Estes, deals with its important themes in its final act, not allowing easy answers for us or his characters, faced as they are with a moral quandary or two as the bleak mood of the afternoon deepens. And the wonderful ensemble of young actors are more than up to the task as well, providing weight and substance beyond their years to these sometimes challenging roles. The tomandandy (Tom Hadju/Andy Milburn) score is one of the duo’s most melodic and sparsely used it really is the perfect musical accompaniment.
Mean Creek is a wonderful film and compulsory viewing for anyone looking for another, previously undiscovered, small gem of American cinema.
The wonderful cast of young actors
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Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
It was a DVD hire surprise that just got me - was hooked from the start. Scott Mechlowicz who plays Marty stars in another of my fave films..... Peaceful Warrior - I wrote a review on my site HERE. You might like it - it was another surprise film.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic