Review of Mud (2013) by Trevor R — 01 May 2014

Great performances from McConaughey, Sheridan, and Witherspoon ground this affectionate coming-of-age tale in the grand southern tradition of "Huckleberry Finn," even if it can't quite support its 2+ hour running time. The script also does a slight disservice to the mysterious, fairy-tale quality of the story by including too many cutaways to scenes independent of Ellis' point of view (particularly an exposition-heavy conversation between Mud and Tom early on that completely shatters the air of mystique built to that point).

"Mud" is both warm and gritty; a simultaneous celebration of and eulogy for childhood innocence.