The Mudge Boy
Seen it?2003 | 93 min | Drama, Romance
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (77% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved All the Bright Places or Heartstopper Forever, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
Chronicling the troubled existence of Duncan Mudge, a 14-year-old misfit who—while vying for the attention of his vacant father—struggles to fill the void brought on by his mother's sudden death.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
77% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$63K worldwide on a $800K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 30K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
All the Bright Places
Saturday SpecialAnother coming-of-age romance, and a Saturday Special.
The Longest Ride Sunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
My Fault: London
Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Labor Day Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Heartstopper Forever Saturday SpecialAnother romance, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Michael Burke
- Emile HirschDuncan Mudge
- Tom GuiryPerry Foley
- Richard JenkinsEdgar Mudge
- Pablo SchreiberBrent
- Zachary KnightonTravis
- Ryan DonowhoScotty
- Beckie KingApril
- Meredith HanderhanTonya
- Sandra GartnerLydia Mudge
- Tara Arielle O'ReillyEmily Foley