The Mudge Boy

The Mudge Boy
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Burke
Written by	Michael Burke
Music by	Marcelo Zarvos
Cinematography	Vanja Cernjul
Editing by	Affonso Gonçalves
Distributed by	Showtime Networks
Release date(s)	January 17, 2003 (2003-01-17) (Sundance)
Running time	94 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Mudge Boy is a 2003 American film 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 and lesbian and independent film festivals around the United States. The region 1 DVD was released on May 9, 2006.

Plot

Duncan Mudge (Emile Hirsch) is a shy, isolated, sexually confused farm boy whose mother has recently died, leaving him under the supervision of a stern, depressed father. Duncan seems somehow to have transferred his love for the deceased mother to his favorite chicken, which he takes everywhere, even to bed. He has developed the odd habit of putting the chicken's head in his mouth -- to calm the animal, he says. Duncan also likes to dress in his late mother's clothing, much to the distress of his bewildered father. The small, insular band of conformist teens that comprise adolescent social life in Duncan's world initially ostracize him, then allow him in to their circle only reluctantly, and largely for their own amusement. Duncan is beset with a profound sense of grief while trying to reconcile himself to a world in which he is a sexual alien. His crush on one of the local kids, Perry (Tom Guiry), leads to a violent resolution where Duncan relinquishes that which he loves.

Cast

• Emile Hirsch as Duncan Mudge
• Tom Guiry as Perry Foley
• Richard Jenkins as Edgar Mudge
• Pablo Schreiber as Brent
• Zachary Knighton as Travis
• Ryan Donowho as Scotty
• Meredith Handerhan as Tonya
• Beckie King as April

Critical reception

The film received positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 77% out of 26 professional critics gave the film a positive review. Robert Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times called it "odd and intense, very well acted, and impossible to dismiss." Lisa Rose from the Newark Star-Ledger said about it that "It's not an easy film to watch, but it is a memorable one."

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.

External links

• The Mudge Boy at the Internet Movie Database