By George, it's dull

Don't expect even a glimmer of the first US Prez's plywood teeth, the indie debut by David Gordon Green is actually named after one of the North Carolina kids whose dull lives are upset when something very unsettling happens.

The photography - lush as velvet - is ambitious too. And as for the storytelling - you're just plonked down in the middle of the kids' situation and left to work things out for yourself. Very refreshing in a world of formulaic screenplays.

It's a much-lauded film, garnering more praise than expected from all-corners. Maybe that's because the film hits three worthy targets - poor, black, children - and is therefore virtually critic-proof. But, cheeky title apart, this is dull.

Verdict: Thindependent.