Review of Mud (2013) by Harry W — 22 Mar 2014

The thing that makes Mud interesting is the complicated situation it puts the young characters Ellis and Neckbone in at the start of the film as opposed to much later on as the standard coming of age drama would. It gets straight into strong drama instead of imploring excessive waiting through overly optimistic and formulaic plot dynamics. And because of this, it comes off as being genuinely convincing drama that seeps into complicated territory without ever being excessive.

But at the same time as working as a complex drama, Mud really has a director that cares about its characters. Jeff Nichols clearly wants people to learn something from the story, and with his script set up with characters who can achieve that, all it takes is a strong cast to ensure that happens. Luckily enough, he has Matthew McConaughey in the lead role.

Matthew McConaughey is incredibly strong in the lead role, and we connect to him as the character Mud in the same way that the young character Ellis does. Its because the character Mud is like the older brother that you never knew and were protected from, and Matthew McConaughey's characterisation of him is an unforgettable highlight. Regardless of some of his character's more negative actions, Matthew McConaughey is too good at ensuring viewers sympathise with him, and watching Mud gives me a whole new level of respect for him as an actor. He is a genuinely great screen presence, and a very talented actor.

Ellis' innocence is explored in various ways in Mud, dealing with the complex emotions he feels towards May Pearl which he feels as love, as well as the connection he develops with Mud which experiences the complexities of the generation gap and the position that each character has in society. To put it really simply, Ellis is a complex character and requires a very talented juvenile actor to get the role right. And incredibly, Tye Sheridan absolutely nails it. His meaningful line delivery, his facial expressions and his physicality all has the juvenile spirit of a boy going through a complicate experience as he is coming of age, and Tye Sheridan nails every inch of the character immaculately. The high point of his performance is in the really dramatic scenes where it is seriously convincing that Ellis has been damaged in some way by the experience, and his emotional strength is great. Tye Sheridan is a real treat, and his own talent matches Matthew McConaughey's so that they make equally powerful presences on screen. Their chemistry is also great and has a real brotherly feel to it. Tye Sheridan proves himself to be an up and coming great actor in Mud, and it emits so naturally from him that it barely seems like a challenge for him.

Reese Witherspoon and Michael Shannon also give good performances.

Mud is a simple film with a simple story and complex themes, and it boasts a talented cast and some excellent cinematography. But above all, its touching. Mud easily reaches its viewers and consistently has a light yet dark atmosphere, and even a strongly intense one at times. It always feels effective, and so Mud succeeds as a simple southern drama that can touch you or grip you, and although it never goes far beyond its roots, its consistently well directed and well scripted, proving greatly insightful to viewers and entertaining too.