Review of Mean Creek (2004) by Dhiren B — 18 Aug 2008

We all like to believe we would do our best in a horrific situation; choose the right path immediately, and do the honourable thing. But would we? What if other emotions, stronger feelings of shame and fear begin to surface and cloud our judgement, so while we believe we are taking the sensible and logical path, it is merely the selfish one. Cowardice is taught as a dishonourable trait, but can it be helped in a game of survival of the fittest?

'Mean Creek' is an intense and disturbing film from first time writer-director Jacob Aaron Estes. The film opens as young Sam is beaten by school 'retard' and bully George, who is significantly larger than his victim. Sam's older brother and his friends decide to teach the kid a lesson on a 'birthday' boating trip, but as George begins to open to the idea of friendship the plan is called off by all but one, Marty. He likes to follow through with his plans.

The premise is simple, even cliché, but 'Mean Creek' avoids all the pitfalls of lesser pictures attempting to convey the breakdown of a group of close friends. For one, all the characters are elaborate, realistic and have well-rounded personalities. Culkin plays Sam with a quiet sensitivity, and Carly Schroeder is impressive as the girl caught up in a playground prank. As George Josh Peck also manages to blur the line between the bully and the kid who just wants to be accepted. Marty, played terrifically by Scott Mechlowicz, clearly has his own problems at home; the pain of being hurt by those you love is rarely solved without venting anger on a third party.

The eloquent music and patient cinematography bring the most out of this picture; all the suppressed emotions are forced to the forefront of the most tense and explosive scenes, and Estes finds unexpected poignancy and depth in the majority of his characters rather than follow the conventional 'cover-up exposure' finale.

'Mean Creek' is a rare find in its simplistic ability to make you question your moral choices, and judgement. It highlights the painful effects of vengeance on the bully and the characters themselves, and takes its time in letting the emotions unravel, and the logic rise to the surface. All actions have consequences, and the characters in 'Mean Creek' learn this in the most painful, unnecessary way.