A disquieting, powerful look at a boating trip gone horribly wrong, writer/director Jacob Aaron Estes' award-winning debut Mean Creek is a riveting journey into the teenaged heart of darkness. Echoes of other teen-themed films like Stand By Me, Bully, Ken Park and River's Edge reverberate throughout this subtly crafted ensemble drama that fearlessly transcends cliché at its best moments and slips into grating redundancy during its scant off moments.

Much of the strength of Estes' film lies in its documentary-informed style; Estes doesn't impose much Hollywood gloss on his finished product, allowing the story to develop organically. Casting little known actors also helps promulgate a sense of heightened reality, further grounding Estes' film.

Mean Creek opens with the likable Sam (Rory Culkin), being beaten bloody by the school bully, George (Josh Peck). Sam's brother, Rocky (Trevor Morgan), takes up for his sibling, inciting school pal Marty (Scott Mechlowicz) to gather a few of Sam's friends together for a boating excursion into the wilds of Oregon none of them will ever forget. While most jaded cinephiles will be able to see the plot twist in Mean Creek coming about 10 minutes in, Estes still manages to make the pivotal moment fraught with escalating tension; the raw exchange which leads to tragedy is one of the most heart pumping exchanges caught on film in recent memory.

While not a film worth endlessly revisiting (the final third of the film is its weakest section, diluting that which has come before), Mean Creek is nevertheless a worthwhile debut and a drama boasting an excellent teenaged cast.

The Video:

Mean Creek is presented in a solid 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer; the movie was shot on both film and video, with each source well represented. Flesh tones are natural and black levels are superb, while the gorgeous outdoor photography is appropriately lush and colorful. The largely hand-held images feature no noticeable edge enhancement (although the video does feature some flaws inherent in the source material) and look very clean throughout.

Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby stereo are both available on Mean Creek; the atmospheric 5.1 soundtrack truly comes alive once the film moves to the ill-fated boat trip – sounds of nature emanate from every direction. It's an enveloping mix that only enhances the experience of the film.

For a title that made little noise at the box office, Paramount has nevertheless seen fit to include some substantive extras that make up for quantity with quality. Director Jacob Aaron Estes, cinematographer Sharone Meir, editor Madeleine Gavin and stars Josh Peck, Trevor Morgan (whose ravaged voice occasionally it hard to understand what he's saying), Ryan Kelley and Carly Schroder contribute a lively and informative commentary track; split between technical information, reminisces and a bit of friendly goofing around, it's a fairly engaging listen. Also included are Estes' storyboards for the film as well as trailers for Enduring Love, The Machinist, The United States of Leland, Love Me If You Dare, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Intimate Strangers and the Mean Creek soundtrack. English subtitles are also on board.

Mean Creek is a film that echoes earlier films that deal in wayward youths and their casually horrifying mistakes. With a strong, mostly unknown cast, writer/director Jacob Aaron Estes fashions a believable drama that falters in its closing moments, but is engaging and recommended for rental.