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The Dust Factory
Directed by: Eric Small
Starring: Ryan Flynn
Genre:
Fantasy
Run Time: 99
min.
Release Date:
October 2004
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
THE DUST FACTORY is
more of a tween film than one for younger kids. Dealing with sensitive
subjects on life, death, love, and sex, parents should be forewarned
that this isn't some feel-good Disney flick (although it has some of its
elements).
The story is that of Ryan Flynn (Ryan Kelley), a boy coming into his
teens who is a self-imposed mute. He doesn't speak just because he
doesn't want to; he witnessed a horrible accident that claimed his
father's life several years ago and hasn't uttered a word since, much to
the dismay of his mother (Kim Myers) and stepfather (Peter Horton). His
grandfather (Armin Mueller-Stahl) lives with them but suffers from the
end stages of Alzheimer's, not even realizing that his wife has passed
on. Ryan's best friend Rocky (Michael Angarano,
24 TV Series) understands his muteness and doesn't pressure him,
just lets him be. Until one day they're crossing an old train bridge and
Ryan falls through into the murky water below.
When he resurfaces, everything has changed. Rocky is nowhere to be seen.
His home is empty with the exception of his grandfather ...who can now
talk! And so can Ryan! Learning that he's in some sort of limbo, Ryan
soon befriends a pretty young girl his own age named Melanie (Hayden
Panettiere) who shows him the ropes of this unique place. Taking him to
the big-top where some freakish mimes play out the fate of people's
afterlife, Ryan learns that once you take the plunge on the trapeze,
things will never be the same. You either "move on"or you return to the
Dust Factory (i.e., life as you knew it before limbo).
Battling his uncomfortable past, Ryan often sees railroad tracks
blocking his way (his father was killed at a railroad crossing) and must
force himself to move onward instead of looking back. He is helped
tremendously by his tricky grandfather and, initially, by Melanie. But
grandpa can't stay in this place forever, a sad but necessary thing,
while Melanie refuses to leave (will she become a mime herself if she
never leaves?) Ryan battles for Melanie's soul as much as his own and
soon comes to terms with what it means to live life to its fullest.
Although exceptionally predictable and not very well acted, the bizarre
afterlife world created here makes for some interesting post-film
discussion with your tweens. Parents will be able to ask their kids what
they think the mimes represented. And why was it necessary for the
grandfather to move on.
It's a mixed bag as far as films go, but the creepiness of the big-top
and its dark tones make up for many of its faults.
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Image from The Dust
Factory
DVD cost: $10.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Opening weekend The Dust
Factory showed on only 22 screens and grossed $8,000.
Movie Quote: "It's
called getting dusted."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Dust Factory
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