Jeff Nichols is a master story-teller. I was captivated by his film Take Shelter, which was an engrossing, character-driven film that captured my attention from start to finish. Nichols has a soft spot for Michael Shannon, who has appeared on all three of his first films, starting with Shotgun Stories in 2007. His ability to draw out the best in his actors was evident in an emotional scene in Take Shelter where Shannon completely blew me away. That passion for constructing a story around the characters continues in his 2012 film, Mud.
Ellis (Tye Sheridan) is a 14-year-old boy who lives in a houseboat along a river near Dewitt, Arkansas. The houseboat has been "hardened" to the shore over the years with permanent walkways and stairs. It is a rural lifestyle that is slowly dying off as the River Authority dismantles any house whose owner moves out. There is not a process for transferring title, since it appears the original owners had squatted along the river. The people who live along the river depend upon the river for their survival. Ellis works with his father, Senior (Ray McKinnon, who was also in Take Shelter). The pair sell fish to local residents and restaurants. Ellis' home life is in turmoil as his parents are seeking a divorce. This means they will lose their home as well as their way of life.
Ellis has a best friend, Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), who tends to be more cautious than Ellis. The pair sneak out one morning to explore a nearby island. Neckbone had visited previously and discovered a boat stuck in a tree from a recent flood. The pair plan to commandeer the boat, but are put off track when the discover a fugitive living in the boat. The fugitive, known only as Mud (Matthew McConaughey) enlists the boys to aid him in restoring the boat. The pair quietly sneak around their community collecting supplies as they develop an arms-length relationship with Mud. Ellis' ideas of love and reconciliation are tested as he comes to understand the complexities of relationships.
The narrative in Mud is not a complex story. But it is more than just a coming of age tale. The film reaches us on a personal level. The characters have complexity and depth that make them real. They are people we know. Or there are parallels to our own experience that draw out the emotional responses that Nichols touches with his writing. The strength of the characters is buffeted with a cast that completes the magic of cinema, drawing us into a culture that may be foreign to us with characters we identify with nonetheless. It is an amazing testament to good writing.
Michael Shannon plays a much smaller role in Mud. He is quirky as ever, but genuinely likable in this endeavor. He plays uncle to Neckbone, performed dynamically by Lofland. Lofland has a great brotherly chemistry with Sheridan who masterfully carried the bulk of this film on his shoulders. The young actor was passionate and credible. The chemistry between the boys was strong enough that they could be brothers. I would be surprised if the boys are not genuinely friends off set. Reese Witherspoon takes a minor role as Mud's love interest, Juniper. She was solid. Although I do not consider myself a fan of McConaughey, I have to admit he nailed this role. He took an unsavory character and delivered a performance that connected with the audience. As flawed as his character was, I found myself rooting for him. That is a testament both to the writing and the acting. Well done
Mud received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA. The rating seems fair enough. The film had some sexual references, mostly mild. The other issues included language, violence, to include several shooting deaths, smoking and drinking. Based on the quality of the film, I would not limit this film by an age restriction. Instead, I would gauge the viewer. If they are prone to nightmares from snakes or shooting, then maybe skip this one. Otherwise, it is an interesting, enjoyable film with contextual elements.
Mud runs 130 minutes. I have to admit, the last fifteen minutes dragged a little bit, but there were some loose ends that needed to be tied together. I felt Nichols did an effective job of pulling the story together at the end, even if it ran just a bit long. We were given an indication that life moves on...and things might just be okay. Great acting, awesome writing, interesting stories and characters that will grab you. What more can you ask for in a film? I am going to stop shy of a perfect score. While I could probably be convinced I am stopping short...8/10.
