Jeff Nichols’ third feature, Mud, is a coming-of-age story that channels the naivety of youth, the complexity of love, the intrigue of violence, and the mysteries of morality, all told in the Mississippi River valley in Arkansas. What starts off as an innocent adventure for two boys soon descends into so much more, first when they find a boat stuck up in a tree, and later as Nichols’ adds additional layers to the story. Wonderful characterization and a handful of stellar performances launch Mud to the levels it hopes for, with my only criticism being the relatively unsatisfactory final chapter.
Mud opens to two boys getting up before dawn to the sound of each other over walkie-talkies, all so that they can take a small outboard motor dingy up through the rivers on an adventure. Once they reach the mouth of their smaller channel they come across a large island with a blue and white boat stuck firmly in the trees, brought there by some flood. Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are quizzical and excited, at first claiming the boat their own. Then they come across canned food and magazines and realize that someone else is already living in their boat. Down by the shore they meet him, a man simply named Mud (Matthew McConaughey). With the snake tattoo on his arm, cross on his boot-heel, and stories to go with everything else, Mud is a romanticized folk hero for the boys.
Mud opens to two boys getting up before dawn to the sound of each other over walkie-talkies, all so that they can take a small outboard motor dingy up through the rivers on an adventure. Once they reach the mouth of their smaller channel they come across a large island with a blue and white boat stuck firmly in the trees, brought there by some flood. Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are quizzical and excited, at first claiming the boat their own. Then they come across canned food and magazines and realize that someone else is already living in their boat. Down by the shore they meet him, a man simply named Mud (Matthew McConaughey). With the snake tattoo on his arm, cross on his boot-heel, and stories to go with everything else, Mud is a romanticized folk hero for the boys.
For the boys, the boat is a pre-built tree house alone on their very own island. For Mud, it’s a place to hide away from the world in waiting for his true love, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). We soon begin to learn about Mud’s murky past after state troopers begin checking cars on the local roads for him. The hints at his violent history, like the pistol poking out of his pants, both scares and entices the boys. When Ellis agrees to bring food for Mud, they have no idea what they’re getting involved in.
Ellis does not question Mud’s integrity throughout the film, as his devotion to Juniper (even when she doesn’t always offer him hers) gives him hope, as he makes his first ventures into romantic affairs and his parent’s relationship crumbles before him. Mud makes the boys, Ellis in particular, feel needed and he trusts them with the true stories of his life. At least the two boys take Mud’s stories to be true, but when we later hear conflicted versions of the story the boys begin to lose the naivety of taking everything at face value. As they continue to help Mud with food and then with other supplies for escape from both the cops and the more dangerous bounty hunters after him, the two boys mature substantially from their innocent beginnings.
Ellis does not question Mud’s integrity throughout the film, as his devotion to Juniper (even when she doesn’t always offer him hers) gives him hope, as he makes his first ventures into romantic affairs and his parent’s relationship crumbles before him. Mud makes the boys, Ellis in particular, feel needed and he trusts them with the true stories of his life. At least the two boys take Mud’s stories to be true, but when we later hear conflicted versions of the story the boys begin to lose the naivety of taking everything at face value. As they continue to help Mud with food and then with other supplies for escape from both the cops and the more dangerous bounty hunters after him, the two boys mature substantially from their innocent beginnings.
Jeff Nichols’ creates many original characters each with substantial depth and growth throughout the story. His work with cinematographer Adam Stone on this picture is phenomenal, with wide-panning shots of rivers, light streaming through the trees, and the fitting soundtrack all adding to the ambiance. Nichols’ also draws from a variety of fiction as inspiration, from ‘Cool Hand Luke’ to ‘Huckleberry Finn’, complementing his own writing style and making the story fit in with themes of the American tradition.
Matthew McConaughey gives yet another fantastic performance, continuing his streak of success over the past few years. Tye Sheridan is a promising young actor, and co-stars Sam Shepard and Michael Shannon are also both great additions to the cast. The entire film is elevated by some outstanding performances, but even more so by Nichols’ stellar writing and character development. He approaches complex themes like love from so many angles one could discuss this film for days, and while the conclusion is a potentially disagreeable, it doesn’t stop this film from being a great piece of work. Like the two boys leaving their comfortable tributary for the greater river, this film plunges them into the great unknown of adolescence, and is wonderfully enjoyable.
Matthew McConaughey gives yet another fantastic performance, continuing his streak of success over the past few years. Tye Sheridan is a promising young actor, and co-stars Sam Shepard and Michael Shannon are also both great additions to the cast. The entire film is elevated by some outstanding performances, but even more so by Nichols’ stellar writing and character development. He approaches complex themes like love from so many angles one could discuss this film for days, and while the conclusion is a potentially disagreeable, it doesn’t stop this film from being a great piece of work. Like the two boys leaving their comfortable tributary for the greater river, this film plunges them into the great unknown of adolescence, and is wonderfully enjoyable.