Review of Mud (2013) by Darrell H — 30 Apr 2014
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols. (Take Shelter (2011) and Midnight Special (2014)), this is a dark coming-of-age drama which has a hint of the tales of Mark Twain, and more than a pinch of Stand By Me (1986).
Nichols had planned the film since the 1990's, but worked on the story and put the characters first. It's a good film, and it's blessed with a good cast and it manages to be compelling too.
Set in De Witt, Arkansas. Two 14 year old boys, Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) sail out to an island on the Mississippi River, where they find a boat up in a tree. They find that the boat has recently been inhabited, and when they return to the island, they find a drifter called Mud (Matthew McConaughey), who has been living in the boat.
He asks them to get supplies for him and equipment to get the boat out of the tree. Turns out Mud is on the run from a gang of men in Texas led by King (Joe Don Baker), who want revenge as Mud murdered King's son, who had impregnated Mud's girlfriend Juniper (Reese Witherspoon).
Made for a meagre $10 million, it shows a world lost in time, where people seldom have new materials, and they just have to make do with what they find lying around, especially in Mud's case, as he plans to make a getaway.
It does have an old fashioned feel to it, especially with youngsters getting outside having adventures.
This review of Mud (2013) was written by Darrell H on 30 Apr 2014.
Mud has generally received very positive reviews.
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