Review of Mud (2013) by Taryn F — 28 Mar 2014

Jeff Nichols strikes the mark again with another heartfelt and warm drama. Nichols patient hand allows the time for the emotion to resonate with the viewer, as the actors carry out a bravura performance. In an age of skittish cuts and hyperactive direction, its incredibly refreshing to see a director like Nichols with patience who can hang on takes and allow the story to build organically. Similarly to "Shotgun Stories", once again the directors sentimentality to the south of America is felt in this Mississippi setting with its luscious cinematography. "McConaughey" stars in a career turning role prior to "Dallas Buyers" which proves him as a formidable and serious actor. However, it is young protagonist Tye Sheridan playing Ellis, who steals the show. Providing a heartfelt and sincere role as the lead, he establishes himself as a young actor to watch.

In Mud two young boys encounter a fugitive and make a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and, to reunite him with his true love. Mud is not just a simple drama. It's a story about seeing love through the eyes of a teenager. there is three running stories of the boys parents relationship collapsing, him falling for a girl and the deeply moving story of Mud and Juniper. all three stories are so potent, and build gradually becoming more deeply engaging with each scene. In this we can Ellis struggling for an optimistic view on love, as he feels the girl he pines after slipping away, as he's stricken with the realisation he cant fix his parents separation. This is why as we watch their friendship develop its so important to Ellis that he can join Mud and Juniper back together so he can believe that love can still exist, so he can restore his faith that there is hope in love.

The serene and steady pace of mud slowly accumulates in a riveting third act. The plot points and events all link up into a beautiful crescendo leaving viewers at the edge of their seat. Alongside this the well thought devotion to great character development helps to leave viewers with waves of empathy for the characters which will have you rooting for them emphatically. The end scene which mud leaves on is a hugely heartfelt and warm one which with some tranquil cinematography signs off the last note in a rich symphony.