The Dust Factory (2004)

9% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(5,009 ratings)

A troubled youth learns a valuable lesson about trust and knowledge in this fantasy drama. Ryan (Ryan Kelley) is a teenager who lacks the ability to speak. One day, Ryan falls off a bridge and he finds himself transported to a strange fantasy world where he encounters his Grandpa Randolph (Armin… More A troubled youth learns a valuable lesson about trust and knowledge in this fantasy drama. Ryan (Ryan Kelley) is a teenager who lacks the ability to speak. One day, Ryan falls off a bridge and he finds himself transported to a strange fantasy world where he encounters his Grandpa Randolph (Armin Mueller-Stahl) and a pretty girl named Melanie (Hayden Panettiere); together, Ryan and Melanie learn to help one another with their problems, and they both discover the wisdom they can gain from elders like Grandpa Randolph. The Dust Factory is the first directorial credit for Eric Small, who also wrote the film's screenplay. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Eric Small
Written By: Eric Small
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Oct 15, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Mar 22, 2005
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times
A tedious, precious fantasy about a boy faced with choosing between life and death -- an endless existence in limbo is actually more like it.
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
A well-intentioned but unconvincing fable.
Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News
It would have made a much more powerful short than full-length movie.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
It's all very whimsical and fluffy, but the bottom line is, who cares?
Jonathan W. Hickman, Entertainment Insiders
The Dust Factory makes an earnest attempt to blend serious and fantasy elements and succeeds in producing good family entertainment.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
If the 'dust factory' portion made more sense, this would be a wonderful film.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
I was rooting for the motes.
Luke Y. Thompson, Dallas Observer
one of the most original and imaginative children's films in a long time.
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
It could use a better title, although this awful one certainly captures the film's tedium.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
It's the dreariest children's story I've ever seen... gloomy, depressing, and way too long. Somebody get the Hoover - back to dust is where this movie needs to go.
Phoebe Flowers, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
It's actually just kind of stupid.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Comes across like an earnest after-school special disfigured by off-putting fantasy elements and bloated with self-indulgent touches.
John Venable, Supercala.com
When your main character goes off into a fantasy world where anything can happen and absolutely nothing does, that's unfortunate.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Byron B

Two charming kids and the boy's grandfather spend time in limbo between life and death. It is a strange fantasy world that seems free of trouble except for a creepy circus, which is named the dust factory. The youngsters amidst falling for each other are forced to confront some… More
Two charming kids and the boy's grandfather spend time in limbo between life and death. It is a strange fantasy world that seems free of trouble except for a creepy circus, which is named the dust factory. The youngsters amidst falling for each other are forced to confront some philosophy about life and death, pleasure and pain. Some of it is thought-provoking. Many of the special effects suggest a fantasy world I've never seen before in a movie, but it is obvious the effects had a low budget. Artistically it seemed the writer/director thought they were being clever dealing with these deep issues, but I was uncomfortable with the death themed circus and many of the grandfather's lessons were nonsensical.