Review of Mud (2013) by Mike S — 10 Apr 2016

This is a Mark Twain-esque tale of a teenage boy named Ellis, who is trying to figure out how men should behave. On one side, he has his father, who lives on a houseboat on the banks of the Mississippi River and ekes out a living selling fish door to door. On the other side, Ellis has Mud, a fugitive hiding out on an island in the middle of the river. Mud is wanted for murdering a man who assaulted Mud's girlfriend. Ellis and his friend Neckbone discover Mud while exploring one day, and are enlisted to help him repair a wrecked boat so he can escape. Mud seems to be a decent sort, although he's always looking over his shoulder. Both the police and the family of the murdered man are on his trail. Meanwhile, Ellis's mother thinks a houseboat is no place for a young man and wants to move the family into the nearby town to give Ellis a better chance at an education and a way out.

Ellis sees the value of an honest day's work, but also admires Mud's machismo and forthright manner. When another boy is bothering a girl he likes, Ellis is quick to race to her rescue, although perhaps with more energy that was warranted.

Tye Sheridan gives an outstanding performance as Ellis, capably holding his own against an equally strong Matthew McConaughey as Mud. Shot entirely on location in Arkansas, the movie gives you a real sense of a place where the 21st century hasn't fully penetrated and where ancient codes of honour still hold power over a young boy's mind. This is a thoughtful, well-crafted film that doesn't give easy answers. Life is messy, even at thirteen years old.