From the Archives: Mean Creek (2004)
April 8th 2010 23:55
Mean Creek (Estes, 2004)
Written September 4, 2004
Jacob Aaron Estes's debut film Mean Creek opens with a bully beating up a kid half his size; a scene so generic it could have easily taken place on any school playground across the U.S. The harsh, cold reality of the playground gives way to the stark contrast of gorgeous scenery on an Oregon river where a boat outing has been planned and the ultimate goal is revenge.
Rory Culkin plays Sam, a boy victimized by George (Josh Peck), the school bully. Sam's older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) wants to teach George a lesson. He rounds up some of his friends and they plan a seemingly harmless prank, just mean enough to humiliate George and give him a taste of what he puts kids through on a regular basis.
I could continue summarizing the plot for the next two paragraphs, but I won't. The plot is not what drives this film. You already know things aren't going to go the way they're supposed to (it's one of the basic cinematic conventions that rule the teenage drama genre.) No, what's different here is not the event that occurs, but the post “event” reactions from these teens and the unflinching realism. The film is stunning in its accurate portrayal of today's youth and the harshness in which they taunt others, even (or maybe especially) their own friends.
George is The Bully, that much is clear, but what about Marty (Scott Mechlowicz) who picks on his friends almost as much, especially Clyde(Ryan Kelley), a boy with two fathers who suffers because his family doesn't match up to the preconceived idea of 'normal.' Why is it okay when Marty does it, but not George? Or can they both be excused of their actions since they stem from the loneliness and tragedy within their own lives? These are the kinds of questions Mean Creek asks internally, and it is up to the viewers to see if they can be answered.
Perhaps the film's most powerful moments are when some of the characters slowly begin to think maybe George isn't so bad, maybe he just "wants friends, like everybody else", as Sam says to his brother. The internal struggles of these kids as they flip flop on their opinion of George is a breath of fresh air. There's a three dimensional complexity to nearly every character, and while the last act of the film contains the token stupidity (which is realistic in its own right) it is a harsh character study in morality. These kids aren't brainless or conscious lacking. They possess the kind of adult complexity we're used to seeing in films like Mystic River, proving age doesn't matter in the terms of right and wrong.
Mean Creek delivers a biting, gritty exploration of abuse, morality and friendship. The performances (from the mostly newcomer cast) are stellar and the soundtrack is perfectly selected. The writing is disturbingly accurate and the directing is subtle, with a wonderful attention to detail, like a neon sign for a video store that stands out on a dark, surreal night or a slug inching its way over flesh.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
A surprising Deliverance meets Stand By Me style that tackled its subject with maturity.
Comment by Cinema is truth
Cinema is Truth
Cinema is Truth