Well if you haven’t seen it please do. It is a masterpiece. I truly recommend it.
The story is simple in a way that most people have probably thought of before. Well you can summaries it into one sentence. “When a teen is bullied, his brother and friends lure the bully into the woods to seek vengeance.” On its surface a simple story, but the slow action gives time to examine the characters, their motivations, and how peer pressure causes individuals to act in ways they would otherwise never consider.
The performances are so believable and realistic. It would be really hard to pick a stand out one because unlike some of the films today, all the six leads were stand outs. Ryan Kelley, Rory Culkin, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck and Carly Schroeder - their performances are so genuine and authentic that I had the impression of seeing a documentary rather than a fictional movie. (I’m not exaggerating) They interact in a natural way that is stunning in its simplicity and leaves you with the feeling of getting a first-hand insight into the heart and soul of the struggling life of young teenagers on the edge of adulthood.
The writer and director, Jacob Aaron Estes has memorized those young people for what they really are.. The fat but "cool" kid with all the new gadgets bulling all those who are smaller and smarter, the brother who can't stand to see his brother get pushed around, the young teenaged girl with so much to learn and experience, the almost adult man taking a lead and giving the orders and the sensitive skinny guy. It makes you going back time to remember names of people you haven't thought about in years, and that just makes it so much more terrifying when the plan goes wrong. If a few different choices had been made, it seems, this could have happened to anyone.
The cinematography is just stunning. There are so many quite moment when all we can see is the flowing river, or a close up of the threes around, faces, smiles, the nature but it still gives a natural paste to the film. Sharone Meir ‘s photography isn’t showy, but it gives the river sequences in particular a kind of quiet elegance.
For such a child-filled movie, this is a grown-up story. I can’t believe it was out in 2004 and it took me 7 years to find it and watch it. There are only 3 words I can say about this film, rent, watch, and enjoy! You won’t regret it.
