For the first fifty minutes, this is one taut, unpredictable, naturalistic look at adolescence...and a fine suspense thriller. But once the film's major event occurs, the care factor gradually drops to zero.
A combination of "Stand By Me" and "Deliverance" with teens and pre-teens, it is a well acted and skilfully directed. Two performances in particular -- Carly Schroeder as Millie and Josh Peck as George -- are standouts. Young Rory Culkin is also very believable as a boy bullied by his enemies and friends.
The film's first fifty minutes are great because they leave us unsure about where we stand with the central character. George, an overweight, angry teenager with behavioral problems, is targeted for humiliation after he beats up Rory Culkin. The boy's friends, led by the intimidating Clyde (Ryan Kelley), take a short canoing trip on the local river and invite George, who is oblivious to their plan, along for the ride. But tensions between the kids explode and George becomes a different kind of problem to them.
The film is handsomely shot and nicely scored. It is unfortunate that utter predictability and inevitability capsizes its potential greatness, but it's well worth catching, anyway, for its solid performances.
A combination of "Stand By Me" and "Deliverance" with teens and pre-teens, it is a well acted and skilfully directed. Two performances in particular -- Carly Schroeder as Millie and Josh Peck as George -- are standouts. Young Rory Culkin is also very believable as a boy bullied by his enemies and friends.
The film's first fifty minutes are great because they leave us unsure about where we stand with the central character. George, an overweight, angry teenager with behavioral problems, is targeted for humiliation after he beats up Rory Culkin. The boy's friends, led by the intimidating Clyde (Ryan Kelley), take a short canoing trip on the local river and invite George, who is oblivious to their plan, along for the ride. But tensions between the kids explode and George becomes a different kind of problem to them.
The film is handsomely shot and nicely scored. It is unfortunate that utter predictability and inevitability capsizes its potential greatness, but it's well worth catching, anyway, for its solid performances.