IMDb > The Mudge Boy (2003)
The Mudge Boy
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Mudge Boy (2003) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   1,410 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 14% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Michael Burke (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Mudge Boy on IMDbPro.
Genre:
Plot:
Fourteen-year-old misfit farm boy Duncan Midge tries to cope with his mother's death. To do so, he mimics her behaviors... more | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Ask the Flying Monkey! (April 7, 2009)
 (From AfterElton.com. 6 April 2009, 6:45 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Let's give them something to talk about... more (25 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Emile Hirsch ... Duncan Mudge
Tom Guiry ... Perry Foley (as Thomas Guiry)

Richard Jenkins ... Edgar Mudge

Pablo Schreiber ... Brent

Zachary Knighton ... Travis

Ryan Donowho ... Scotty
Meredith Handerhan ... Tonya

Beckie King ... April
Sandra Gartner ... Lydia Mudge

Tara O'Reilly ... Emily Foley
Barbara Lloyd ... Irene Blodgett

Sam Lloyd ... Ray Blodgett
Hannah Franzoni ... Tracey Foley

George Woodard ... Merrit Foley
Munson Hicks ... Minister
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue, a rape, and language.
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Michael Burke developed the screenplay for the film at a Sundance Labs in 2000. Burke says of inspiration for the film: "Growing up in rural Vermont, I wanted to tell a story about a kid too sensitive for the harsh environment in which he was raised." more
Quotes:
Duncan Mudge: [to Perry] Do you ever think about kissing me? more
Movie Connections:
References "The Magilla Gorilla Show" (1964) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 22 people found the following comment useful.
Let's give them something to talk about..., 8 March 2005
8/10
Author: jpschapira from Argentina

I got to give this film a chance. There's a story told, and it is very strong, I know. It could be seen as gay, stupid, mean. Yes, the movie is extremely mean and that makes it difficult to watch. You have this quiet, interesting kid, and then all the jerks; hanging out drinking beer, having sex. These are the type of relationships Duncan (Emile Hirsch) had never thought about until they arrived.

The movie makes a great job in narrating the two sides of the story. Duncan's mom died; the boy is living with his cold, severe father, Edgar (Richard Jenkins). Duncan remains unnoticed all the time; he spends the hours by himself. Sometimes he rides his bicycle, just to get out a little bit, or plays with his chicken. This chicken, together with many of the things (a sweater, a lamp) Duncan has, belonged to his mother: "It was her favorite", he says later when a girl asks about it. Edgar, otherwise, is hiding his pain, but why? He loved his wife but now has a boy to take care of. Maybe Edgar is scared to see Duncan suffering because of his wife's death. Maybe Edgar doesn't even want to take care about Duncan, although he seems to be doing an effort. When they both sat at the table for dinner (prepared by Duncan), the boy asks his father about his day: "It was fine", Edgar answers. Then Duncan asks about the food: "Ok", his father says. After this, Duncan starts talking to himself, asking questions about his day, just because his father hasn't asked him about it. This is the relationship they handle. Eventually, Duncan will start working for his father: "You're strong boy", Edgar says. But is he? The other side shows to us the relationship Duncan creates with the other boys, the ones I couldn't call friends, and the problems he has with them. He wants to get along, we can see. Even more when he meets Perry (Tom Guiry), and starts buying beer and going out at night with elder people. His father is being good about it because he knows that Duncan could use some friendship. But then Duncan is stealing alcohol from his father for them. They all go to a party, and some people start to bother Duncan: "Chicken boy, chicken boy". Perry gets angry and punches them. Duncan can't believe it. He likes Perry, they are probably friends, but does he like Perry in another way? Is Duncan gay? Is this a question we should ask to ourselves? Probably, because Duncan and Perry experience things together. You could know Perry wanted to do it, to try something different, or to teach some sex lessons to Duncan; the boy with no experience (touching his own nipples in his bed). All of these could be.

Emile Hirsch is a very good actor. I have seen him in all of his movies, except for "Imaginary Heroes". He trapped me in "The Emperor's Club" and in "The girl Next Door". Great acting jobs, in not great movies. Here he is just great (again), with all of his weird faces. He is weird; also calm and gentle. Many things. Richard Jenkins is superb, in showing what I named "silent emotion". Very interesting how a man can feel very much, but say very little. Tom Guiry is the one that steals the show in the end. He is brave and risky, as no other young actor. He says his lines so strongly that they get to you, just as in "Mystic River".

And of course, we can't forget the creator of the whole project; because this is an indie gem. Michael Burke wrote a beautiful and real script. He directed his actors so naturally that everything seemed perfect. His editor also did a hell of a job putting all those still shots together. Very good film-making (I love still shots).

When the film ends, we could feel like there is something missing, something unsolved. But anyway: is there anything else to solve?

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (25 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Mudge Boy (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Can't give credence to anything in this film belensd
I Kind of Feel Like... CurrentlyxxRad
Are you.. Joking me? ImaginaryHeroes
I was... steaks411
Last line in the movie lunch_meat
This is a Clorox Movie brhoward216
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
My Own Private Idaho Mysterious Skin The Indian Runner Gone with the Wind The Night of the Hunter
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.