Mud - A Movie Review

Life is all about the unexpected. Make every day an adventure.

Released to theaters in 2012, Mud is a coming-of-age drama about two boys who discover a fugitive on an uninhabited island. Calling him by the name of Mud, the boys learn of his true nature and agree to help him win back his true love.

Mud is a complex film. I had no idea what to expect when I watched it for the first time. It is an entertaining well-acted coming of age tale. Love is a central theme. Mud centers about the essence of growing up, learning to trust, and friendship.

Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland are the highlights of Mud. For their first film, the young actors were natural in their deliveries and interactions. Ellis and Neckbone’s friendship is one of my favorite parts of the film. Their friendship is a break from the stresses in the world so they can be kids.

Growing up in never easy. The film ingeniously follows the perspective of Ellis (Sheridan). Clearly, his home life is not happy, so he avoids altercations instead of making situations better. That’s one of the main themes. Ellis’s quiet growth makes for an insightful journey. He is still a kid, but he is on the road to becoming a young adult.

Over 900 boys were auditioned for the part of Neckbone. Neckbone’s cursing was a funny part of his character. We don’t get a lot of information about him, but that is not important. Because of Lofland’s interpretation of the character audiences grasp who he is.

I like how the film established Matthew McConaughey’s character. McConaughey is outstanding in his performance. He’s mysterious. You don’t know whether to root for him or judge him based on his strange nature. Mud becomes a mentor for the boys, forming a bond. Running from your troubles only makes matters worse.

At first, I did not recognize Reese Witherspoon. She did not do anything to change herself physically. She played a woman who has gone through hardships. All actors have to challenge themselves in a contrasting role from what they are normally used to playing.

All parts are well-cast. Sam Shepherd, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson, Michael Shannon, Joe Don Baker, Paul Sparks, and Bonnie Sturdivant are terrific. There is not just one story going on. The storyline about Ellis’s infatuation for an older girl made for a genuine moment that all young teens can relate to.

Jeff Nichols masters ambiguity in Mud. We don’t have to know everything. This film is reminiscent of a Mark Twain adventure only in modern times. Mud is a heartfelt piece of film that molds a simplistic tone in with a dramatic tale. Nichols crafted a story about love, growth, and embracing life.

The locations feel natural. Most of the film was shot in Eudora, Arkansas. Having a boat in a tree was a unique idea for a treehouse on the inclusive island. The Mississippi River had a great impact on the story, feeling like a character of its own where the drama became more intense as the film went.

Camera angles focused on images that felt unimportant but actually contained a hidden meaning. There was this one camera shot focusing on daddy long legs on trees. Make time to look at the little things around you. Life is all about the unexpected. Growth.

Before you accuse this film of being slow-paced, it’s not. I thought that the film went in an inclusive direction. It’s natural and feels real. Growing up is an experience. I recommend Mud. Find it on Netflix and enjoy the adventure.