UNDERTOW *

Terrence Malick was one of the producers of "Undertow" so you should have a fair idea of what to expect, particularly when you see that the director is David Gordon Green who made "George Washington". Yes, we're back in "Badlands" territory again but this time with runaway boys, one of whom is Jamie Bell with a very convincing American twang, and a villainous uncle in pursuit which has also lead to comparisons with "Night of the Hunter". So far, so not very original. Still, as rural Americana movies go "Undertow" isn't that bad. Its decent cast, (including a very young Kristen Stewart), carries it along and its mix of grim poetry and violence works most of the time. Unfortunately there are also moments when Green thinks he is Malick remaking "Night of the Hunter". He isn't; this is a B-Movie of the kind Joseph H. Lewis might have made and that's the level on which you should take it.