Review: ‘Mud’

Written by David Greco 

Mud is a coming of age adventure tale from writer/director Jeff Nichols that blew away critics at Cannes earlier this year. It is a story that I assume Jeff holds close to his heart, considering it being set in his home state of Arkansas. Now, I refer to this film as a “coming of age” story, but it is a lot more dense and layered plot wise and thematically. The movie follows two curious natured young boys growing up in Arkansas who come across a mysterious yet intriguing man named Mud on an island out in the Mississippi river. They assume that he can’t be just a bum and one of the boys believes there’s more to him. He claims he’s waiting for the love of his life on that island and just needs a little assistance. Skeptically, the two boys agree to help, but it isn’t long until they find out what truly lies behind Mud. At the same time, their bond grows stronger and, as any young boys do, they get themselves into some trouble of their own along the journey, while discovering more about life and love along the way.

The story develops on screen so naturally and unforced it really is something special. I felt so much compassion and connection towards the lead character Ellis (played by Tye Sheridan). At the surface he may be just a kid who is easy to dismiss, but at the same time he’s more than that. By the end of the movie he’s truly saying something and it’s all believable, which is a really hard thing to accomplish. His counterpart and best buddy Neckbone (played by Jacob Lofland) does a spectacular job as well as the hilariously foulmouthed smart aleck friend. The performances in this movie are something to admire.  McConaughey has never looked so rough and dirty but also has, arguably, never fit a role better as this modern tragic hero. Some life choices driven by love have deemed him by society as someone not to trust but his true sincerity and wit makes him quite the guy. As he builds a bond and a relationship with these kids it’s like he’s building a bond with you as a viewer and it works perfectly. We know as much about this guy as the kids do and as they find out more so do we.

Thematically this story is very dense, dealing with ideals about true love and the innocence in the way kids perceive the notion of love against the reality. It also has some pretty clear and thought provoking motifs throughout the film, the snakes (that Mud has tattooed on his arm) and “snakebites” just to name one. I’ve heard people draw comparisons to the story of Huckleberry Finn but this was all after I watched it and honestly I don’t know how I can use the idea of unoriginality as a negative for this film and I won’t. Nichols hits the nail right on the head with Mud and delivers one of the must watch films of 2013.

9 can of beans out of 10.

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