Undertow (2004 film)
Undertow | |
---|---|
Directed by | David Gordon Green |
Screenplay by | Joe Conway David Gordon Green |
Story by | Terrence Malick (as Lingard Jervey) |
Produced by | Terrence Malick Edward R. Pressman Lisa Muskat |
Starring | |
Cinematography | MGM Distribution Co. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 108 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $157,000[1] |
Undertow is a 2004 American psychological thriller film co-written and directed by David Gordon Green and starring Jamie Bell, Devon Alan, Dermot Mulroney and Josh Lucas. Taking place in Georgia, the film tells the story of two boys pursued by a murderous uncle.
The film premiered at the 2004
Plot
Following the death of his wife Audrey, John Munn (Dermot Mulroney) moves with his two sons, mid-teen Chris Munn (Jamie Bell) and adolescent Tim Munn (Devon Alan), to a pig farm in rural Drees County, Georgia, where they lead a reclusive life. Chris is a rebellious, troubled teen, resulting in frequent contact with police.
John's brother Deel (Josh Lucas) visits the family. The two boys are surprised; they did not even know of his existence. Deel wants a hoard of gold coins from John that their father left them. Deel eventually finds them. John refuses to give them to Deel. In the ensuing struggle, Deel murders him. He tries to kill Chris and Tim as well, but they escape and run away from home with the coins.
On the run, the boys meet an assortment of fairytale-like characters. Deel pursues them, eventually succeeding. Wading into a river, Chris throws away the gold coins into the water. Enraged by the loss, Deel struggles with Chris, attempting to drown him. However, Deel is fatally stabbed in the chest.
Chris appears to wake up in hospital. There, he is reunited with Tim and their grandparents.
Cast
- Jamie Bell as Chris Munn
- Dermot Mulroney as John Munn
- Devon Alan as Tim Munn
- Shiri Appleby as Violet
- Josh Lucas as Deel Munn
- Terry Loughlin as Officer Clayton
- Robert Longstreet as Bern
- Eddie Rouse as Wadsworth Pela
- Patrice Johnson as Amica Pela
- Charles "Jester" Poston as Hard Hat Dandy
- Kristen Stewart as Lila
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from film critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 54% based on 120 reviews, with an average rating of 5.9/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Undertow's gently fantastical elements are balanced by fully realized characters and a story with genuine, steadily accumulating emotional weight."[4] On Metacritic, the film earned a score of 63 out of 100 based on 30 reviews.[5]
Among the critics who gave the film a positive review were
Awards and nominations
Event | Award | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2004 National Board of Review Awards[12] | Special Recognition For Excellence In Filmmaking | Undertow | Won |
2004 Deauville American Film Festival[13] | Grand Special Prize | David Gordon Green | Nominated |
2005 Young Artist Awards[14]
|
Best Performance in a Feature Film: Leading Young Actor |
Jamie Bell | Won |
Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actor |
Devon Alan | Won | |
Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress |
Kristen Stewart | Nominated |
References
- ^ "Undertow". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ Nesselson, Lisa (August 19, 2004). "Deauville announces line-up". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ Lehmann, Megan (October 22, 2004). "Brothers Cry Uncle In Southern Gothic Tale". New York Post. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ "Undertow (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ "Undertow (2004) Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (22 October 2004). "Movie Reviews: Undertow (R)". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ^ Ebert, Roger. "The Best Films of 2004". rogerebert.com. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
- ^ Gleiberman, Owen (October 20, 2004). "Undertow (2004)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
- ^ Harrison, Eric (5 November 2004). "Undertow". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 22, 2011 – via chron.com.
- ^ Berardinelli, James. "Undertow". reelviews.net. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- Washington Post. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ "The National Board of Review: Awards for 2004". Archived from the original on 2010-08-13. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- Internet Movie Database. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ "26th Annual Young Artist Awards". Retrieved June 9, 2008.