Young cast does first-rate work in ‘Mean Creek’

  • By Robert Horton / Herald Movie Critic
  • Thursday, August 26, 2004 9:00pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

It’s somewhat crudely made, and it hammers its main points. But at its best, “Mean Creek” has a whiff of the seriousness of 1970s American movies, when bad things happened and the hero didn’t always emerge victorious.

Oddly enough, it’s the second film in as many weeks that recalls “Deliverance,” which was one of those serious ’70s movies. Last week’s was the entirely frivolous “Without a Paddle,” of course, which isn’t quite the same thing.

The setting is a small town in Oregon, where the eternal drama of bullies, nerds and cool kids is playing out for the umpteenth time.

The bully here is a little different than usual. His name is George (Joshua Peck) and he’s an overweight, pompous techno-geek. As though to make up for his social maladjustment, he beats up on smaller kids like 14-year-old Sam (Rory Culkin).

Sam and his older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) confer with the designated James Dean of the town, the cool, angry Marty (Scott Mechlowicz). They cook up a mean bit of revenge.

They invite George along for a “birthday party” for Sam. Once they’re all in a big rowboat on the river, they’ll humiliate George and split.

When the day comes, the conspirators are joined by sensitive pal Clyde (Ryan Kelley) and Sam’s possible girlfriend Millie (Carly Schroeder). When Millie gets wind of the prank, she begs Sam to call it off.

But director Jacob Aaron Estes has already set the crew down the river, and at that point, it’s hard to alter the dangerous trajectory set in motion.

At times, this situation comes to chilling life. The kids play a game of “Truth or Dare” that has a really honest, unpredictable edge to it. The performances are exceptionally good for a young cast, with Estes getting a naturalness that aids his this-is-really-happening feel.

The diminutive Rory Culkin, who played Mel Gibson’s son in “Signs,” is closer in talent to his brother Kieran than to Macaulay, thank goodness. He does the thoughtful adolescent routine very well.

The other standout is Scott Mechlowicz, who played one of the leads in “Euro Trip” earlier this year. He gives a completely different performance here, and looks suspiciously like a star in the making. Or at least like the next Josh Hartnett.

“Mean Creek” struck me as pasting a grown-up level of gravity onto these teenagers for the purposes of the story’s heaviness. It’s not quite believable, and ultimately the movie seemed less impressive than a kids-in-peril picture such as “River’s Edge,” which it resembles.

It made an impression at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, but they’re always generous with out-of-nowhere films that show any grit. Call it a solid effort, and look for good things in the future from the cast.

“Mean Creek” HH

Well-acted: In a small Oregon town, a group of adolescents gets into trouble while going down a river and playing a prank on a school bully. The kids have a little more gravity than they should realistically possess, but the film is well acted.

Rated: R rating is for violence, language.

Now showing: tk

“Mean Creek” HH

Well-acted: In a small Oregon town, a group of adolescents gets into trouble while going down a river and playing a prank on a school bully. The kids have a little more gravity than they should realistically possess, but the film is well acted.

Rated: R rating is for violence, language.

Now showing: Harvard Exit.

From Page 6

Mean

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

The Musical Mountaineers perform at Everett’s McCollum Park on June 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Adopt A Stream Foundation)
Photo courtesy of Adopt A Stream Foundation
The Musical Mountaineers perform at Everett’s McCollum Park on June 14.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali full-size pickup truck (Provided by GMC).
2025 GMC Sierra EV pickup is building a lineup

Denali Extended Range and Denali Max Range are just the beginning.

Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Nedra Vranish, left, and Karen Thordarson, right browse colorful glass flowers at Fuse4U during Sorticulture on Friday, June 7, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett’s Sorticulture festival starts Friday

Festivities will include art classes, garden vendors and live music.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineup

The summer concert series will take place each Thursday, July 10 to Aug. 28 at the Port of Everett.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Audi SQ8 Wows In Motion Or At Rest. Photo provided by Audi America MediaCenter.
2025 Audi SQ8 Is A Luxury, Hot Rod, SUV

500 Horsepower and 4.0-Second, 0-To-60 MPH Speed

Edie Carroll trims plants at Baker's Acres Nursery during Sorticulture on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sorticulture, Everett’s garden festival, is in full swing

The festival will go through Sunday evening and has over 120 local and regional vendors.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.