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Mean Creek, 2004

Mean Creek

English

USA

Rating:7.3
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Profile of Mean Creek

Mean Creek can be described as contemplative, suspenseful, and tense. The plot revolves around kids in trouble, , and human nature. The main genre is drama. In approach, Mean Creek is serious and realistic. It is set, at least in part, in a small town. It takes place in contemporary times. Mean Creek has received attention for being an award winner.

Summary of Mean Creek

Director Jacob Estes's feature film debut is a remarkably accomplished coming of age drama about death and consequences. When overweight, emotionally troubled George (Josh Peck) beats up a smaller kid named Sam (Rory Culkin) one time too many, his older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) and Rocky's wrong-side-of-the-tracks pal (Scott Mechlowicz) decide to teach George a lesson. Along with their friend Clyde (Ryan Kelley)--who was once the brunt of George's violence himself--they bring George on a boat trip with a cruel prank in mind. Sam brings his love interest, Milly (Carly Schroeder), who tries to stop the plan when she decides George is a nice guy after all. Tragic things happen nonetheless with the slow, languid rhythm of life in a small Oregon town. Along the way, Estes manages to capture many fine moments of poetic realism like the stillness of the forest around the river, the swirling eddies along the shore, a snail crawling along a leaf, and a drowning video camera. Cinematographer Sharone Meir uses color filters and washed-out film stock to make everything glow with faded colors like old family photographs. The dialogue feels natural and the acting is precise; Estes obviously loves his cast and allows plenty of time and space for their characters to breathe, think, and be the confused kids they're meant to be.

Details

Language: English
Country: USA
Release date: 15 January 2004
Runtime: 90 min

Cast and Crew

Rory Culkin as Sam Merric in Mean Creek
Rory Culkin

as Sam Merric

Ryan Kelley

as Clyde

Photos

Scott Mechlowicz and Rory Culkin in Mean Creek (2004)
Scott Mechlowicz and Rory Culkin in Mean Creek (2004)
Mean Creek (2004)
Mean Creek (2004)

Clips

Mean Creek
Mean Creek: Official Trailer

Critics Reviews

Los Angeles Times
Mean Creek's greatest asset is its sense of truth. It doesn't pander to or indulge its characters like the teen films we're used to. It looks at them straight ahead and with respect. It's something you wish Hollywood, and even parents, did more often.
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  • by: Kenneth Turan
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Dyslexic, talkative, and permanently tethered to a video camera that documents his solitary life and vivid fantasy world, Peck, in a stunning performance, resonates as both monster and victim, predator and prey.
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  • by: Nathan Rabin

Users Reviews

This movie is similar to the River's Edge but no where near as good. If you like to watch kids getting them selves into some serious trouble, you'll enjoy this. Even though this movie is about kids, its NOT a kid's movie. Note the R rating.
  • 21.January.2011
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  • by: chrissnave
  • chrissnave rated this movie0/10
Mean Creek (2004) is an artistic film on the cusp of greatness. The cinematography is excellent, acting is great, storyline is good (although a little predictable), and even the music is hauntingly beautiful. Sam (Rory Culkin) is physically bullied...
  • 30.August.2010
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  • by: Dain Binder
  • Dain Binder rated this movie0/10
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