Review of Mud (2013) by Aodhan R — 14 Dec 2014

'Mud' is a spectacular achievement in screenwriting for Jeff Nichols, who also directed the movie. The editing and cinematography is, too, fabulous and it is worth most of that credit as well.

Matthew McConaughey stars as a loner and outsider called 'Mud.' A loner living on an island of Mississippi, who's secretly a wanted fugitive until the secret is out there, and it's the secret of two young boys called Ellis and Neckbone that they know and have befriended the mysterious man.

Tye Sheridan stars as Ellis who's been given the most screen time. Jacob Lofland stars as Ellis's best bud and sidekick Neckbone - with Reese Witherspoon playing a minor supporting role as Mud's long lost lover Juniper.

It's a fine tale that raises a lot of questions, but it's superbly written and filmed, and part of the way: well acted. McConaughey's performance steals the show, even though he's been given limited screen time, as he plays a role unlike many of his other roles: the role he played in 'Dallas Buyers Club' is nothing to compare with his performance in 'Mud.' Mud and Ron Woodroof are two completely different people and McConaughey pulls that off extremely well by delivering another fantastic performance. Mud is less stubborn, rude and foolish than Ron Woodroof in 'Dallas Buyers Club.'.

Tye Sheridan's acting started off great. Himself and Lofland play two young boys seeking adventure like any young lad until the meet and befriend loner Mud, who encourages the two boys to help him get back together with his former lover Juniper, played Reese Witherspoon. The agree to help even when uncovering he's a wanted fugitive for murder. Sheridan's performance starts of great and I almost considered him the movie's main show stealer, but the acting approach from Sheridan starts to fade after a good 45-60 minutes of the movie and it's bit of a shame as the movie went so well, but it's nothing to ruin anything; the movie's still terrific. It's just an aberration that came across the script which believably happens in some movies.

Sheridan's character is an interesting one. Ellis is young lad of fourteen years who's willing to whatever he can to help Mud. It's easily observed and distinguished that Ellis isn't open to fear as he's willing to do whatever the odds and whatever possible to help Mud, whom he trusts.

It's a wonderful movie with it's main purpose being faith - and with McConaughey's and Sheridan's performances caught in the centre of this it proves to be a great tale!