The Mudge Boy

Los Angeles Times - 05/07/2004
"Richard Jenkins is solid..."

Movieline's Hollywood Life - 06/01/2004
"[D]irector Michael Burke render the rural milieu with keen attention to detail, and the actors help to freshen the familiar tale. Emile Hirsch gives an outstanding performance..."

This disturbing drama, showcased at Sundance 2003, stars Emile Hirsch (THE GIRL NEXT DOOR) as Duncan Mudge. A troubled teenager, he struggles both to relate to his father (Richard Jenkins) after his mother's death, and to accept his homosexuality after developing a crush on Perry (Tom Guiry), a macho neighbor. Clearly suffering, Duncan falls into a world of his own, becoming more and more detached from his emotionally distant father. Duncan takes to putting the head of his pet chicken in his mouth, which seems to calm him more than the chicken. In addition to this odd behavior, he begins to wear his mother's clothing. Inevitably, his father discovers his secrets, and halfheartedly tries to set him straight. In the process, however, Duncan falls in with a wild group, including his crush Perry, who only wants to use him. Duncan's growing attachment to Perry, however, leads both boys to a tumultuous, horrifying, but ultimately cathartic climax.

Director and writer Michael Burke creates a sympathetic misfit in Duncan. Aside from struggling with his sexual orientation, Duncan struggles merely to have a normal conversation with those around him. Small details enhance his innocent strangeness, from his short-sleeved dress shirts and too-short polyester pants to his excruciating singing in church. The final result is a portrait of a young man in pain, grieving over his mother's death, his father's lack of emotion, and his own inner hatred.

Family Interaction | Fathers And Sons | Homosexuality | Rape | Teenagers | Theatrical Release