Mud (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Set in Arkansas, 'Mud' (written/directed by Jeff Nichols, Take Shelter) captures the look, feel, & rhythms of the Deep South in a way very few films do. Jeff Nichols seems inspired by the old Mark Twain/Huckleberry Finn stories of old; there's a definite synergy there - the character of Tom Blankenship (Sam Shepard), is named after the real-life inspiration for Huck Finn; and the titular character isn't Runaway "Jim", though, the character still exists, here. But I digress. 14 yr. old Ellis (Tye Sheridan) lives with his parents (Sarah Paulson, Ray McKinnon) in a dilapidated riverside houseboat; he's just happy he's not a "townie" like many of his friends. But his parents look to be heading for a divorce, which weighs heavily on the heart & soul of this sensitive teenager.
His best buddy is Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), who is being raised by his quirky oyster diver uncle (Michael Shannon). The 2 boys spend their youthful energy with secret motorboat rides to an isolated Mississippi River island where they stake claim on a boat lodged high in a tree (due to a major flood). The boat, however, is 'taken' by a ragged looking man named Mud (Matthew McConaughey), who tells the boys that he's waiting on the desolate isle for his lost love, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). If the boys bring him food, he'll trade them ownership to the boat. Skeptical, yet intrigued, the boys agree to this; although Ellis, captivated by the notion of true love (he's hurt over his parents potential divorce) sympathizes with Mud, more so. He trusts Mud, even though the stranger later admits to murdering a man who was beating up Juniper. Drama ensues when vengeful bounty hunters & the police {yes, even them} arrive in town, searching for this amiable redneck.
Jeff Nichols has made an evocative, yet genial coming-of-age tale concerning misplaced romance - and yet, there's more than enough suspense/danger in the story to keep you on edge. The film is steeped in a wonderful 'Southern Gothic' atmosphere; the hazy Summers, the lazy rivers. In fact, its atmosphere is the main character ... it establishes the mood of the proceedings, establishes the mindsets of the characters, it influences the plot points, and it also comes across as a poem {so to speak} to a disappearing way of life. This is not the South of tall grass, dirt roads, whinnying horses, or grits. It's a grittier South of seedy motels, water moccasins, Piggly-Wigglies, & trashy girls named Mae Pearl. All of that, and yet, there's no condescension in the way that South is portrayed -- you fall in love with it.
Ellis goes through many trials & tribulations after reaching out to this troubled fugitive. He gets in trouble with his parents for stealing a motor for the boat that Mud can escape with. He gets a black eye trying to stop a bully from beating up a girl he likes. And he gets another black eye trying to protect Juniper from the murdered man's violent brother. Tye Sheridan is the film's strong, emotional heart; playing vulnerable & confused with equal aplomb. McConaughey gives a magnetic performance that brims with heart & angst. Jacob Lofland is enjoyable as the adventurous, but emotionally immature Neckbone. Sam Shepherd puts in a nice little supporting turn as a tough, enigmatic neighbor who provides needed support for Mud when he needs it most. And Reese Witherspoon goes anti-glam; giving a blessedly understated performance as a cheap woman who can't help being who she is. She's far from her romantic comedy ticks; and it suits her well.
I walked out of the theater feeling that I'd just watched a minor American classic, and I still feel that way. 'Mud' tells a fulfilling story because we get to know a little about every single character. And the script combines the poignancy of a boy coming to terms with life's realities with a kind of slow burn, nail-biting suspense. You don't quite know how it will all end. And best of all, the contrast btwn. Ellis' maturation & Neckbone's lack thereof (though, he's still a great little kid) represents, for me, one of Mud's more powerful themes. The film is about growing up; having to change; and always when you don't want or expect to.
His best buddy is Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), who is being raised by his quirky oyster diver uncle (Michael Shannon). The 2 boys spend their youthful energy with secret motorboat rides to an isolated Mississippi River island where they stake claim on a boat lodged high in a tree (due to a major flood). The boat, however, is 'taken' by a ragged looking man named Mud (Matthew McConaughey), who tells the boys that he's waiting on the desolate isle for his lost love, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). If the boys bring him food, he'll trade them ownership to the boat. Skeptical, yet intrigued, the boys agree to this; although Ellis, captivated by the notion of true love (he's hurt over his parents potential divorce) sympathizes with Mud, more so. He trusts Mud, even though the stranger later admits to murdering a man who was beating up Juniper. Drama ensues when vengeful bounty hunters & the police {yes, even them} arrive in town, searching for this amiable redneck.
Jeff Nichols has made an evocative, yet genial coming-of-age tale concerning misplaced romance - and yet, there's more than enough suspense/danger in the story to keep you on edge. The film is steeped in a wonderful 'Southern Gothic' atmosphere; the hazy Summers, the lazy rivers. In fact, its atmosphere is the main character ... it establishes the mood of the proceedings, establishes the mindsets of the characters, it influences the plot points, and it also comes across as a poem {so to speak} to a disappearing way of life. This is not the South of tall grass, dirt roads, whinnying horses, or grits. It's a grittier South of seedy motels, water moccasins, Piggly-Wigglies, & trashy girls named Mae Pearl. All of that, and yet, there's no condescension in the way that South is portrayed -- you fall in love with it.
Ellis goes through many trials & tribulations after reaching out to this troubled fugitive. He gets in trouble with his parents for stealing a motor for the boat that Mud can escape with. He gets a black eye trying to stop a bully from beating up a girl he likes. And he gets another black eye trying to protect Juniper from the murdered man's violent brother. Tye Sheridan is the film's strong, emotional heart; playing vulnerable & confused with equal aplomb. McConaughey gives a magnetic performance that brims with heart & angst. Jacob Lofland is enjoyable as the adventurous, but emotionally immature Neckbone. Sam Shepherd puts in a nice little supporting turn as a tough, enigmatic neighbor who provides needed support for Mud when he needs it most. And Reese Witherspoon goes anti-glam; giving a blessedly understated performance as a cheap woman who can't help being who she is. She's far from her romantic comedy ticks; and it suits her well.
I walked out of the theater feeling that I'd just watched a minor American classic, and I still feel that way. 'Mud' tells a fulfilling story because we get to know a little about every single character. And the script combines the poignancy of a boy coming to terms with life's realities with a kind of slow burn, nail-biting suspense. You don't quite know how it will all end. And best of all, the contrast btwn. Ellis' maturation & Neckbone's lack thereof (though, he's still a great little kid) represents, for me, one of Mud's more powerful themes. The film is about growing up; having to change; and always when you don't want or expect to.