Mean Creek Movie Review 2004

The feature debut of Estes goes beyond teen coming-of-age cliches to tell a hard tale of moral choices. Shy, slight 13-year-old Sam (Culkin) is the favorite target of school bully George (Peck). Tough older bro Rocky (Morgan) decides to get even by inviting George on a boat trip and then humiliating and stranding him. Along for the ride are Rocky's friends, Marty (Mechlowicz) and Clyde (Kelley), and Sam's potential girlfriend Millie (Schroeder). Of course, the plan goes awry as the characters prove to be multi-dimensional: the bully is lonely and vulnerable; the macho kid hides deep insecurities. Unexpected consequences reveal that the taste of revenge isn't sweet at all. The rating is primarily for language but isn't likely to shock the film's peer group.

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on DVD
Running time 89 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Teen Angst, Elementary School/Junior High, Revenge, Sail Away, Coming of Age, Brothers & Sisters, A River Runs Through the Plot

Screenplay

Jacob Aaron Estes

Cast

Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck, Carly Schroeder

Cinematography

Sharon Meir

Director

Jacob Aaron Estes

Music

Tomandandy

Other

Michael Cottrell, Robin Urdang, Madeleine Gavin, Betsy Goslin, Cynthia Morrill, Greg McMickle

Producer

Susan Johnson, Rick Rosenthal, Hagai Shaham, Whitewater Films