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The Mudge Boy

Play trailer Poster for The Mudge Boy R Released Jan 17, 2003 1h 34m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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.

Critics Reviews

View All (26) Critics Reviews
Matt Weitz Dallas Morning News Condescending tone ... contrivance ... and clich. Rated: C Jul 22, 2004 Full Review Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution Like a sturdy, well-observed short story, its narrative pieces put together with a plain elegance. Rated: B- Jul 1, 2004 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The Mudge Boy is odd and intense, very well acted, and impossible to dismiss. Rated: 3/4 Jun 25, 2004 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Rated: 3/5 Jul 21, 2005 Full Review Steve Rhodes Internet Reviews Tender, touching and tragic ... it's also rewarding and redemptive. Rated: 3/4 Mar 27, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member The biting off the chicken head is what made this film abhorrent. There was no need. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Akshay M The Mudge Boy is an odd and unsettling drama. Duncan mudge played by young Emile Hirsch is a naive boy who cannot cope after his mother's death and do some strange things which leads to tragic circumstances with his friend. It's hard to watch but the performance by Hirsch is hard to turn away. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/15 Full Review Audience Member Tragic & unsettling, with a sensitive performance from Hirsch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member 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 :) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Mudge Boy

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Mudge Boy

The Mudge Boy (2003) The Mudge Boy (2003) Director Michael Burke, Thomas Guiry, Emile Hirsch Tom Guiry Emile Hirsch, Tom Guiry Emile Hirsch Emile Hirsch Emile Hirsch Emile Hirsch View more photos

Movie Info

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)