Good as it is, with a catchy high concept and hip indie sensibility, it could have been so much better. Culkin, Aiken and Garner, however, can count the film as an unmitigated triumph.

Though unevenly told and at times too fanciful for its own good, "Electrick Children" marks an intriguing feature debut for its risk-taking writer-director, Rebecca Thomas.

"Electrick Children" is well acted and refreshingly nonjudgmental, but its narrative continuity is tenuous at best.

An even-heeled, though undeniably quirky coming of age road trip movie, angled on culture clash for a great deal of its charm.