neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Mean Creek
	Jacob Aaron Estes Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck, Carly Schroeder 2004		Heir to "River's Edge" and "Bully," with a wisp of "Stand by Me" and a shiver of "Lord of the Flies" tossed in, "Mean Creek" is a haunting, incisive drama about unsupervised small-town teens who decide to punish one of their own after he harasses a classmate once too often. The unfussy script by writer/director Jacob Aaron Estes offers a realistic representation of how kids talk and interact when they say what they think they should be saying, and in unguarded moments. Estes seems to understand the nature of peer pressure and loyalty among adolescents, enhancing the power of "Mean Creek." Rory Culkin, younger brother of actors Kieran and Macaulay, leads the film's ensemble cast of unaffected, note-perfect juveniles. The action starts in an Oregon schoolyard, where chunky outcast George (Josh Peck) regularly beats on shy, quiet Sam (Culkin) until Sam's older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) learns of the abuse. Rocky and his rowdy pal Marty (Scott Mechlowicz) devise a plan to humiliate George during a backwoods river trip. After convincing George to join the outing, Sam, Rocky, Marty and hanger-on Clyde (Ryan Kelley) embroil Sam's innocent girlfriend Millie (Carly Schroeder) in the prank, too. But their cruelty may be unwarranted and lead to dire consequences. Whether looked upon as a coming-of-age story or a morality tale, "Mean Creek" succeeds wildly.