McConaughey, one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men, made his debut in Dazed and Confused and has since then appeared in over 40 feature films, and has become a producer, director, and philanthropist all the while sticking to his Texas roots and "JK livin'" philosophy. He was most recently seen in Killer Joe, breaking away from his sexy image and exploring the dark-and-violent side of human nature, and delved deeper into himself as an actor exploring the disturbed psyche of a perturbed masochist.
With Mud, undeniably showcasing McConaughey's incredible artistry as an actor, he miraculously transforms himself into the sensitive nature of a man living on a dangerous edge, and unrecognisable in his filthy clothes and with his tooth cracked, hiding away in a boat, suspended high in the trees, a remnant of an extreme flood on the banks of a river in Arkansas.
Mud's world is fraught with danger and laced with a downhearted sorrow; he is man you would definitely not approach and rather leave alone, but McConaughey's incarnation of this lonely fugitive is so beguiling that you want to know everything about him and, in a way, become his best buddy. His secretive lair in a tree house boat is found by 14-year-old Ellis (Tye Sheridan), who lives on a makeshift houseboat on the banks of a river in Arkansas with his parents, and his best friend, Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), also 14.
When the two boys set out to an island on the Mississippi River, where Neckbone has discovered an unusual sight-a boat, suspended high in the trees, their lives change drastically when they meet Mud, and an unusual bond is formed between unlike friends, one you are bound to remember forever.
There are equally powerful performances by Sarah Paulson and Ray McKinnon as Ellis' parents; Michael Shannon is sensational as Neckbone's uncle who makes a hardscrabble living diving for oysters; Reese Witherspoon is perfectly cast as Mud's long-time love, Juniper; and there is great support from Paul Sparks as a Texas bounty hunter and Joe Don Baker as a cold-blooded killer hell bent on capturing Mud. Another unforgettable performance in the film is delivered by renowned actor, writer and Academy Award winner Sam Shepard, who plays Tom Blankenship, a reclusive man whose houseboat is opposite the shore of Ellis'; his journey into Mud's life adds a surprising layer of intrigue and mystery to the story.
When the boys set a plan in motion to help Mud escape with Juniper, they have to risk everything to reunite these seeming mythical lovers, Ellis' own ideas about love and romance are challenged by the strains in the relationships closest to him: his parents' marriage is dissolving and he struggles to look for an example of love that he can believe in, learning about the unspoken rules and risks of love and the reality of heartbreak.
Writer-director Jeff Nichols, who made a tremendous impact with Take Shelter, skilfully draws you into the world and characters of Mud; it's the culmination of everything he has been working toward as a writer and filmmaker, combined with his love of Mark Twain and his penchant for sweeping action and big themes of sacrifice and forgiveness that echo themes from the American classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Mud is a gentle film that takes you on an unforgettable journey into a world that captivates from start to finish with Nichols' masterful vision and passionate execution, and the rich characters that crawl deep under your skin and into your heart. What makes Mud such an exceptional film you can wholeheartedly throw yourself into, is its richly textured story; it's a poignant coming-of-age story of two teenagers who find the true meaning of life and love through the eyes of a lonely man; and the potent telling of a man who finds his true calling through the courage of two young boys. It clearly shows that in an age where we stay clear of strangers who barely survive in the shadows of humanity, our encounter with these dark-and-lonely characters can spark a lifelong friendship and make the world a better place.
Mud is daring in its subject matter and does not shy away from the dramatic intensity its story provokes. It is one of those rare films that reveal how the ordinary lives of people can be enriched by the extraordinary encounter with those who live outside our comfort zones.
Mud is good storytelling at its most powerful, and story making at is best; the combination of word and image, and characters and performance, culminate in a cinematic experience that guarantees ideal escapism for discerning viewers looking for solid entertainment that has heart and soul.
Mud is one of those rare film experiences that take you on a spiritual and enriching journey that shows how the fragile nature of human beings can heal old wounds, make new friends and definitely make the world a better place to live in. It's a film that will give you the courage to live outside yourself, and allow the kindness of strangers to transform your life in a meaningful and rewarding way.
What we are scared of, our own insecurities and fragile disposition, and our reluctance to allow the truth to set us free, are all aspects of Mud that indeed makes it one of the best and must see films of the year. We all need a Mud in our lives to awaken the hero within and show us who we really are and that we can most definitely accomplish anything.
In creating Mud, writer-director Jeff Nichols was influenced by writers who bring a strong sense of place to their work, including Raymond Carver, Cormac McCarthy, and Southern authors Larry Brown, Flannery O'Connor, and Harry Crews. "All of these writers made me want to learn how to become a good storyteller," he said. He also takes inspiration from the films he most admires, a list that includes: The Hustler, Badlands, Hud, Tender Mercies, Cool Hand Luke, A Perfect World, Fletch, and Lawrence of Arabia. "All of these films reached an honest place in regard to the human condition while telling really entertaining stories."
Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Nichols is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Filmmaking, and is a current resident of Austin, Texas. With Mud, Nichols had a vision for how small visual cues would add dimension to his characters. In a script in which spoken words are few, he knew these details would provide a path for the audience to connect with the story. Nichols had a clear sense about how things should look and feel, from the fishing gear on Senior's houseboat to the books on the bookshelves in Tom Blankenship's house (Sam Shepard had suggested to Nichols that his character was the kind of man who would read Don Quixote. Nichols rushed an original edition to the set in time for filming).
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