MUD (2013) – The Review

In 2011 writer/director Jeff Nichols dazzled film fans with a dream-like tale set in the heartland called TAKE SHELTER which featured a fabulous, shoulda’ been Oscar nominated performance by Michael Shannon along with great supporting turns by Jessica Chastain and Kathy Baker. Now Nichols returns to a similar setting for MUD. The earlier film took place on the dusty plains, while the new work floats on the water surrounding a sleepy Arkansas town that’s seen more prosperous days. SHELTER used inventive special effects for its nightmare plot, but MUD has no such fearsome images as it weaves its tale of love, loss, and growing up. The new film also showcases several terrific performances that should be remembered later in the year during awards season.

MUD is centered around two boys around 13 or 14 years-old, just on the cusp of adulthood. Ellis (Tye Sheridan) lives in a ramshackle house on the river with his bickering mother and father (Sarah Paulson and Ray McKinnon), while ‘Neckbone’ (Jacob Lofland) shares a dingy trailer with his Uncle Galen (Michael Shannon). Close to dusk the two steal away to an island where (thanks to a recent storm and flood) a speedboat is perched in the upper branches of a tree. The boys plan on making it their clubhouse, but are surprised to find fresh food (a loaf of bread) and footprints inside the boat’s cabin. Racing back to their boat on the beach they run into the source of the food and footprints: a scraggly man who calls himself ‘Mud” (Matthew McConaughey). Mud is waiting to meet someone and can’t leave the island. He offers to pay the young boys for any supplies they can bring to him. Soon Ellis learns that Mud is wanted by the police, but they continue to meet with the fugitive. Mud finally comes clean with the boys. He’s waiting for word from his true love, a beauty with birds on her hands, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). He’ll run away with her, but needs the boys’ help to bring the speedboat out of the tree and fix it, so the couple can evade the police on shore. The boys discover Juniper in town, but learn that a rich, powerful businessman has hired armed goons to exact revenge on Mud before the police can arrest him. Can the boys’ help Mud and Juniper escape down the river before the cops and the hit squad catch on to them?

This film has the best acting ensemble I’ve seen so far in 2013. Though it may be titled MUD, the film truly rests on the shoulders of two relatively unknown actors. We really view the events through the wide eyes of Sheridan as Ellis. He’s got to face the harsh truth about love. Mom and Dad are going to split and he’s powerless in preventing it, or really understanding it. His own budding romance with the slightly older May Pearl is taking unexpected turns. Even the pure love story of Mud and Juniper is not what it seems. His introduction to the adult world of relationships is heartbreaking. Lofland as best bud Neckbone may seem tougher on the outside, but we still see traces of the child whose parents have left him. Shannon, as his partying uncle, is a good pal, but struggles with his parental duties. Mud becomes something of a father/mentor to the two boys. McConaughey takes this meaty role and runs with it. this film is a great follow-up to his impressive 2012 trio of great performances in BERNIE, LONE STAR, and MAGIC MIKE. He’s left the dopey rom-coms and silly action flicks behind him and is really choosing great scripts. Often Mud seems to be a con artist, until we see that he can still be conned himself. Witherspoon is memorable as the haunting etherial beauty whose soul is darker than anyone imagines. McKinnon is compelling as the father who has been beaten down by life. Sam Shepard is terrific as Ellis’s mysterious neighbor who may have a connection to his fugitive hero. Again, Nichols put together a wonderful cast.

And Nichols works well from his original script. It really captures that warm, sleepy small town setting. This helps make the sudden bursts of violence even more powerful. This isn’t shrugged-off action-film stunts, people will really be hurt or die. Adam Stone’s cinematography conveys the dirt and grit of the town streets along with the beauty of the river. David Wingo’s music score never intrudes or overpowers the human drama. All their contributions make MUD one of the great coming-of-age dramas. You’ll be glad that you took a movie cruise with Nichols and his crew.

4.5 Out of 5