Mud

A Film We Owe A Lot To

Director: Jeff Nichols
Release Date: 2013
Rating: 15
Running Time: 120 mins
Genre: Drama/Adventure
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sherridan, Reese Witherspoon

What is it about Matthew McConaughey that makes him so instantly likeable? And why is it only now that we've realised the potential that this actor has? Before Nolan shot him across Galaxies in Interstellar, before the Texan was shipping and selling HIV medication in Dallas Buyers Club, before we were hung in pure suspense by his haunting acting in True Detective, we were given Mud. This is potentially the film that started The McConaissanse and all I want to know is through all the rom-coms, mediocre comedy adventures and Tropic Thunder, where did this array of unique and enigmatic performances arise from? Though the man himself may argue it was God who gave him the opportunity, you can look at this success and see that McConaughey was finally blessed with the good writing an actor liked him deserved, allowing him to show the world his true potential.

In Mud we begin with two boys headed downstream of the Mississippi River to find a mysterious boat suspended high in the trees, seeking adventure the two boys more the boat ashore and search for answers only to find that they aren't the first people to come across this boat and it's on the shore that they meet the mysterious man who goes by the name of Mud (McConaughey). Though we don't know much about Muds character this earlier it's plainly obvious that this mysterious character no matter how dark or elusive, is going to be someone we can't help but like. As the situation begins growing more and more volatile we realise more about Mud's past and perhaps how much he's going to need the two boys help in surviving the events to come.

It's a story that takes place almost entirely in the outdoors of DeWitt, Arkansas and through the two boys alongside this strange man they come across, it does feel like we're taken on a real adventure. The film has an underlying theme of futility and darkness to it, but it's also a story of love, growing up, coming of age, and most of all for me, friendship. Tied in with the amazing cinematography capturing the natural beauty of this state and a soundtrack that manages to tie together all the films themes, Mud is created to be a film that will take you on an adventure through the eyes of two young boys. You're shown the beauty of where they're living and the incredible journey they set out on, to help one man because they feel it's right. 

It's fair to say that movie lovers will owe this film a great deal for giving us one of Hollywood's most contemporary treasured actors so far in this decade and a film that makes you see the world once again through the innocence of a young teenager on the cusp of adulthood. Fantastically written and acted and shot, Mud is a film not just for the McConaughey fans.

8/10