Mean Creek

-"Everyone wants to call if off" -"WELL EVERYONE IS A VAGINA"

It's a long build up to the dramatic event, and when it finally happens, I expected a huge chain of events and some interesting character developments. Instead it just fizzles out. Wasted chance, could have been a great film, instead it is mediocre.

Fuck. Spine tingling. Acting is the best thing about it.

Conventional morality tale revolving around the themes of masculinity, violence and bullying. Mildly involving for a while but runs out of steam in the third act, so that it winds up seeming rather dreary and predictable. The concluding moments, in which we are taught a lesson about taking responsibility for our actions, are handled in an unconvincing and clumsy way. Fair performances from the young cast.

Now is probably a terrible time to admit to you I don't like River's Edge either. If I wanted to see Bully with a Culkin in it, well, I don't, so...

Somber drama can’t shake off an odd hollowness – the convincingly written screenplay never develops its moral quandary in a satisfactory way once the central event takes place (the entire boat confrontation sequence is a mightily impressive set piece). That rare film that could have benefited from an extra 30 minutes, especially due to the outstanding young cast who could definitely have supported it; Peck and Schroeder are great, but it’s Culkin’s soulful work that truly stands out.

Really well-done atmosphere and very good performances by pretty much all. The climax doesn't do the rest of the film justice, unfortunately.

Not the only one of its kind, but deals with the theme of youth and bullying quite well. Some good performances sell the scenario with credibility.

that wackness kid used to be fat as fuck yo

Great performances by all the children (how often do you get to say that?).

(after repeat viewings) An unnerving, morally complex tale, complemented by perhaps the finest set of young actors I've seen in a very long time. Everyone did a great job in conveying the torment they went through and Meir's camera work together with Tomandandy's music create a dark yet arresting atmosphere.

"Deliverance Lite". And I don't care about anyone's excuse, most movies shot on video still look like crap

Mediocre movie that frustrates you with thoughts of how much better it could be. The kids nail their roles, but can't do much with the poor dialogue given to them; leaving you with bland, shallow characters.

A tragic, in depth character study revolving around an unfortunate incident. It isn't so much about what happens, it's about why it happens and how the characters deal with it. This is absolutely top notch film making with memorable characters that challenge your perception of what good and bad really is. Throw in some intense scenes and you got a near masterpiece.

A dark, relentless, and disturbing little movie about junior high students who unexpectedly lose their innocence and how they grapple with it. Most of what's attempted here has been done before at some point, but rarely this well.

Did expect completely different movie and was positively surprised by this Jacob Estes debut movie. Musical score is superb and underage cast works well together. There was some gaps in story though.

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ALL OVER THE WALL!

Seen: 2.

B+

Not bad.

Mean Creek is a coming of age story which does a good job of exploring the nature, consequences, and complexity of high school bullying. A cautionary tale.

While this coming of age tale has very familiar themes, the journey is quite remarkable. I would imagine that most could find something of themselves in one more more of these characters, which is a compliment to the wonderful performances. The younger actors are mature beyond their years, but the message rings true. A subtle and powerful story.

really good child/teen-actor performances elevate this above average. the setup was simple and interesting enough, but then it became a bit too formulaic and run-of-the-mill, especially after the somewhat forced climax. still, ambitious and intriguing for the most part, but sure as shit not the "closest thing to stand by me".

A much gentler and schmaltzier version of Larry Clark's "Bully".

Doesn't necessarily do enough wrong in the final chapter to erode the excellence achieved previous. It definitely comes close, though.

okay movie

It's just another well succeed attempt to demonstrate that human being will always struggle to understand each other. And never will.

This is one movie that could have used the extra 15-30min with a little follow up explanation...great acting though.

"The script manages a few compelling characters, but the rest falls into that non-descript Troubled Teenager category." - Jay Antani

"The inside of my mind has a zillion things about it but... people that don't see inside of my mind don't know there are a zillion things and... Y'know, since no one sees inside my mind, no one really knows."

I liked this one. You knew what was coming but it didn't matter because it was done really well. Good performances by the kids. Quietly effective.

This was one of my favourite movies before I had even seen it, and after three years, it did not disappoint.

The performances are realistic, with unforced emotional revelations and insight, but the film can't escape echoes of similar stories.

Not a bad little indy, but not all that great either. Most of the cast sort of plods through the film. The stand out of the piece is Carly Shroeder, playing the young girl Millie. The bully is pretty good too. The main potential for this film is a "ten years later" follow up showing how the events of Mean Creek effected the characters lives. This is basically an overly long set up for that film.

I probably would have rated this higher if I hadn't seen Larry Clark's far superior 'Bully' which had a similar storyline and dealt with the same themes.

Flick that hits very close to home for most anyone who watches it. Maybe you could get to the end of it before the film does, but I don't think you could call what was going to happen. "His daddy splattered his brains all over the wall" is still one of the most intense, uncomfortable, and anxious scenes I think I've ever seen in a film.

Well made and kept my attention throughout but man...the source of conflict in this movie is not that hard to project. I was expecting more examination of the follow-up to the big event, but I was disappointed with that, too.

I really like Rory Culkin. I thought this movie was well made and powerful. It wasn't perfect, but I still really enjoyed it.

Well-made and haunting. Strong performances.

A very effective drama with excellent performances all around.

I enjoyed it. Estes tells the story in a way that makes you forget that you know what's coming- that you've seen it before. It's your typical "revenge->accident->cover up->guilty conscience->exposure" story, but at no point did It feel average, or predictable. It was heavy, and it was perfect because I felt like I knew exactly how the characters felt...even though I'd never been in that situation. Mean Creek is exactly what a film is supposed to be. And might I add, brilliantly acted...

Surprisingly powerful little film about the loss of innocence in a group of pre-teens. Fantastic acting from all the child actors, which is rare these days. Quite disturbing and surprisingly gutsy.

Ultimatly if you're familiar enough with movies, you knew the kid was going to be sympethic and die and people would learn a sad lesson.

A brilliantly ensemble leads a grand tragedy of a film.

Amazing how it could have been so much more. The setup is tintilating but the rest of the film just doesn't deliver. The kid actors are great but they really can't improve what is a mediocre script.

Fairly cool movie, very dark and an interesting style. Could have been better then it was, though.

horrifyingly depressing, but well-made

The film rests on two factors - John Jarrets performance and a random-acts-of-violence twist or two. Not the typical slasher film, smarter and better made, but a little light on genuine content.

This is such a great, quiet drama about childhood. It's truly moving and sincere, I couldn't help but sit quietly in front of the TV for some time after it was over.