The Mudge Boy (2003)

Sensitive, somewhat effeminate farm-boy Duncan Mudge can barely cope with grim, since Ma's death even gloomier father Edgar's manly expectations, and seeks comfort in petting a chicken he ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Burke

Writer:

Michael Burke

Stars:

Emile Hirsch, Richard Jenkins, Tom Guiry

1 win & 2 nominations.

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

Storyline

Sensitive, somewhat effeminate farm-boy Duncan Mudge can barely cope with grim, since Ma's death even gloomier father Edgar's manly expectations, and seeks comfort in petting a chicken he associates with his late Ma. Macho mate Perry Foley, who has it physically even harder on his dad's farm, usually comforts Duncan and defends his 'wimpiness' to their cocky ruffian mates Travis, Scotty and Brent. But although clearly attracted to gentle gentile Ducan himself, the socially unacceptable suggestion of 'sissy' homosexuality makes Perry over-react and turn on his friend.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | fur coat | death | misfit | grief | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue, a rape, and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anyja fia

Filming Locations:

Rutland, Vermont, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Cold Press Productions,Showtime Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

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."

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Quotes

Perry Foley: Say it!
Perry Foley: Say you're a bitch!

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Connections

References The Magilla Gorilla Show (1964)

User Reviews

Not easy viewing, but worth it.

It's always difficult to watch a film where we know more about the protagonist than he (or she) knows about himself. That's the case here: it's obvious to us viewers from fairly early on that Duncan Mudge has some significant homoerotic attractions. When he would turn out to be "gay" or not when his adolescence is over we don't know, and it's really irrelevant (except that he seems a little on the old side for still being in that sexually indeterminate stage). What we are asked to deal with is a sensitive young man in a particularly insensitive corner of a culture that is becoming more and more callous to the inner lives of young people by the day. We're not told exactly when the action takes place, but we have to assume it's pre-Internet; otherwise we'd fault the character for not reaching out that way. In any case, Emile Hirsch does a fine job with a difficult role, and leaves us wounded on his behalf, but not without hope that the whole experience will in the long run have made him, and perhaps us as well, a better human being.