The film deals with the story of quiet teenager Sam, who is being harassed by George, a student who has trouble dealing with other teens. Meanwhile, Sam's brother and friends seduced the thug in the woods for the revenge he was looking for.
Although it is a flawed film, with a first half that moves slowly and sometimes tediously, it is redeemed by a second half that is gripping, not only for its action but for its moral complexity.
Film and Felt
August 25, 2005
Follows a fluid narrative that never feels contrived, and leaves the audience with genuine sympathy for every single child involved.
I never lived a story anything like this, but I understand the emotional life of this film -- and I'm betting you will, too.
Urban Cinefile
August 30, 2005
First time writer/ director Estes brings sensitivity and insight to this tale of teens pushed to extremes and forced to confront their sense of responsibility and morality
Estes has accomplished quite a bit here. In addition to providing a textbook example of suspense, he also makes us want to know what happens to these kids after the screen goes dark.
You could call Mean Creek a moral thriller. And the emotional currents the movie wades into are far more tricky than the gentle surface the kids' boat floats along.
Freeze Dried Movies
April 01, 2005
A mature, significant contribution to the unfornately growing trend of films that address teen violence (unfortunate in that we need the trend at all).
