The Mudge Boy

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The Mudge Boy

R

2003

1h 34m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Ignored by his father, Edgar (Richard Jenkins), ostracized by the local children and torn apart by the recent death of his mother, young teen Duncan Mudge (Emile Hirsch) begins behaving strangely. At first, he seeks comfort in the company of his pet chicken, and later he begins dressing in his late mother's clothing. When Mudge finds himself attracted to a local boy named Perry (Thomas Guiry), he has no one to help him understand his burgeoning homosexuality.

Matt Weitz

Dallas Morning News

07/22/2004

C

Condescending tone ... contrivance ... and clich.

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Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

07/01/2004

B-

Like a sturdy, well-observed short story, its narrative pieces put together with a plain elegance.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

06/25/2004

3/4

The Mudge Boy is odd and intense, very well acted, and impossible to dismiss.

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Film Threat

12/06/2005

3.5/5

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

07/21/2005

3/5

Steve Rhodes

Internet Reviews

03/27/2005

3/4

Tender, touching and tragic ... it's also rewarding and redemptive.

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01/02/2019

The biting off the chicken head is what made this film abhorrent. There was no need.

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11/01/2014

Tragic & unsettling, with a sensitive performance from Hirsch.

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07/28/2014

great performances but the story was kinda weak..but it did hold my interest..it had an honest and real feel too it...it also got strange and shocking towards the end.

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01/07/2014

Really strong movie, one of those gems you happen to find. One of the best coming-of-age pics I've seen recently, with strong performances that will move you.

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02/12/2013

when duncan said"have you ever think about kissing me"i think that's really moves me .and i don't think the 2 guys are gay.it's just kinda lust or favor between 2 teens. whatever emile hirsch is amazing actor.and it's a heart touching movie and i love it :)

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Cameron E

@thefendiprint 11/08/2012

The film is wildly uneven, much darker than you might expect and looks like it should be on Lifetime, but its depressing, desolate atmosphere gives it plenty of depth.

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Michael Burke

Director

Emile Hirsch

Duncan Mudge

Tom Guiry

Perry Foley

Richard Jenkins

Edgar Mudge

Pablo Schreiber

Brent

Zachary Knighton

Travis

Milwaukee, Minnesota

38%

50%

Milwaukee, Minnesota

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Synopsis

Ignored by his father, Edgar (Richard Jenkins), ostracized by the local children and torn apart by the recent death of his mother, young teen Duncan Mudge (Emile Hirsch) begins behaving strangely. At first, he seeks comfort in the company of his pet chicken, and later he begins dressing in his late mother's clothing. When Mudge finds himself attracted to a local boy named Perry (Thomas Guiry), he has no one to help him understand his burgeoning homosexuality.

Director: Michael Burke
Producer: Elizabeth W. Alexander, Alison Benson, Randy Ostrow
Screenwriter: Michael Burke
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Showtime Pictures, First Cold Press Productions
Rating: R (Rape|Language|Graphic Dialogue|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2003, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 9, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA): $62.5K
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)