Duncan Mudge, mid-teens, lives apart from his rural world populated by his distant father and rough local kids. His main companionship is a chicken left after his mother’s death until the neighbor’s son befriends him.
Based on Fishbelly White by Michael Burke
The Mudge Boy is a 2003 American movie produced by Showtime. It was directed by Michael Burke and based on his 1998 short film Fishbelly White, featured in the compilation Boys Life 5. On January 17, 2003 it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and in 2003 and 2004 it made the rounds at several gay & lesbian and independent film festivals around the country. The region 1 DVD was released on May 9, 2006.
Duncan Mudge (Emile Hirsch) is a shy and immature small-town mama’s boy who spends most of his time on his father’s farm with his favorite chicken. When his mother suffers a heart attack and dies, Duncan behaves even more oddly, occasionally adopting her voice and wearing her robe to sleep in.
Most of the kids in Duncan’s town don’t understand him and make fun of him. His only friend, Perry (Tom Guiry), is Duncan’s link to a few friends after Duncan gives them money to buy beer. As Duncan hangs out with his new friends more and more, he discovers an attraction to Perry.
The Mudge Boy represents some of the finest cinema to come out of Sundance in 2003. The story moves at a leisurely pace but excels in character development and dialogue. Burke revels in his setting- a rural, emotional wasteland painted with eerily quiet, majestic landscapes which idly conflict with the title character’s introversion and despair. Emile Hirsch affects a delicately nuanced, charismatic performance as the title character, stru
ggling with the death of his beloved mother. Richard Jenkins demands every speck of attention possible while he’s on screen; it’s a pure delight to watch this fine actor work. I usually don’t pick out smaller performances, but Zachary Knighton as the chief bully’s “sidekick,” Travis, is superbly threatening and commands the screen, as well. His performance is staggeringly three-dimensional and defies every cliche of “teenage bully” portrayals ever committed to celluloid. There’s a big future for this guy. Overall, this film deserves to be seen by anyone who appreciates uncliched, moving drama filled with wonderful performances
Awards
The Mudge Boy was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award and the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It won a Grand Jury Award LA Outfest.
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