This tale of revenge
blossoms into a horror story of moral proportions when a group of kids
decide to lure the school bully George (Josh Peck) onto a boat trip, play
a practical joke on him and teach him a lesson. Obviously these things
never turn out as expected. George is obnoxious and, yes, annoying, but
writer/director Jacob Aaron Estes gets us inside his lonely mind and makes
us realise that there’s more to him than a guy with a video-camera who
uses small kids as a punchbag. A lesson is eventually learned, but at a
terrible price.
Tricked into joining the
close-knit group of ‘lesson-teachers’ on their boat, the older, meaner
boys Rocky (Trevor Morgan) and Marty (Scott Mechlowicz) mock George for
wanting to be their friend. Only the younger kids, Sam (Rory Culkin) and
Millie (Carly Schroeder) are sensitive enough to feel sorry for George
and point out that everyone wants friends. But as is predictably the case,
all attempts to call off the practical joke only make the ringleaders more
determined.
Mean Creek builds
up an extreme feeling of unease; knowing what’s going to happen but hoping
that it just won’t. Waiting for the moment of truth and still wishing it
won’t come. Having seen the trailers, or having the common sense enough
to understand that no-one makes a movie about an uneventful boat trip (think
Titanic, Jaws, Crimson Tide, The River Wild)
you will still find yourself praying that the kids get home safely.
This movie is a feast
for the eyes. Beautiful Oregon scenery, sparkling water, blazing sun, cute
little kids splashing each other and playing truth or dare. Juxtapose all
this loveliness with death, lies, videotape and crises of conscience and
you get an attack on the senses – a film that gets you scared and tense
and anxious and proud and piteous and angry and worried, but most of all
transfixed.
Estes has managed to create
a moody, moving movie set on a sunny boat and an adult drama centred on
kids. Excellent acting and honest dialogue make Mean Creek a small-town
movie you’ll never forget, and never want to.
Shari
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