MUD

MUD

By Guest Reviewer James Colt Harrison for http://moviemaven.intuitwebsites.com

Mud is the kind of film that grows on you. It’s packed with Southern charm, the locations are both beautiful and spooky, and the leading man is catnip for the ladies. Opening with a little prestige behind it for having been shown at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and competing for the top Pam’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, the Jeff Nichol’s-directed film is an audience pleaser.

That good ole boy Matthew McConaughey is hot off several hit films in the past year, including the wild and wooly male-stripper romp Magic Mike. He easily takes to this coming-of-age story of two 14 year-old boys who befriend him, even though he is a big bad boy on the run. He’s kind of like the big brother most boys would like to have, both with a little danger to his personality and a great deal of mystery.

Ellis (a stunningly terrific Tye Sheridan) and his best pal Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are two adventurous boys who love to go boating. They both live along the river in Arkansas where their relatives make a living. Ellis’ dad (Ray McKinnon) does some half-hearted fishing, and his mom (Sarah Paulson) is restless in the humidity. Neckbone lives with his womanizing uncle who dives for clams for a living. Michael Shannon plays the uncle in his usual maniacal manner.

On one of the boys’ excursions along the remote river tributaries, they come upon an isolated island where they find McConaughey living in an abandoned boat. The boys are curious and learn that Mud (a name that aptly describes his scruffy condition) is on the lam; he killed a man who abused his girlfriend (Reese Witherspoon). Old Joe Don Baker heads the posse that is after him. Baker is, of course, the stereotypical southern good-old-boy-sheriff type and has played them in many movies. He’s best known for Walking Tall (1973). He’s evil with a southern accent.

The boys are curious, scared, and fascinated with Mud. They agree to bring him food and supplies to get him of the island. McConaughey takes a liking to the boys and says they are the only friends he has. He is like a big, smart brother, and he fits the part perfectly. The question is—will the boys’ help be enough to free Mud or will he be caught in the net?

He root of all Mud’s trouble is, naturally, a woman. Because Witherspoon is herself a Southern Belle, she fits the part like a glove. However, the part is so miniscule it wastes her Oscar® winning talent. It’s almost a walk-on, and her lines could be written on a post-it note.

Something must be said of young Tye Sheridan’s performance. He’s a natural and there is no artifice to his performance. He seems like a real American boy, and he is not a “movie brat.” Now 16, Tye made his first film appearance as little Steve with Brad Pitt in Tree of Life in 2011, filmed Mud in 2012, and is wrapping up Joe with Nicholas Cage in 2013. Tye was born in Elhart, Texas November 11, 1996.

The film is languid in pace (130 minutes), hot and sweaty in feeling, and a lesson in redemption without any preaching. It should be one of the top considerations come awards season.