REVIEW: MUD
After enduring the tragedy that was "Iron Man 3", I felt disappointed in summer blockbusters. That was, until I saw "The Great Gatsby," which featured stunning style and gorgeous cinematography. But my expectations were turned for the better when I saw something that was, decidedly the anti-"Gatsby," an independent film with rave reviews, a guitar-based soundtrack and a leathery Matthew McConaughey. That film is one of the year's best (already, I know) and that film is "Mud."
"Mud," like its title, begins deceptively simple with two young country boys going out on their cheap motorboat exploring. Right away the movie flashes similarities to one of my favorite 80's films "Stand by Me," and that's a direction you can never go wrong in. I'm a sucker for films with kids who try to act grown up, it makes their coming-of-age story that more interesting. The kids in question are Ellis and Neckbone (they never do reveal his real name), and their chemistry has to be one of the realest things I've ever seen put to screen. They don't speak of hopeful adventure or the chance they might find something amazing....they're two bored Arkansans with nothing to do but patrol the waters and chat in small talk about girls. Coming from Virginia, these boys are nothing new.
As I said, the plot unravels into a more complex and completely interesting and entertaining piece of southern art. You have the most un-Hollywood teenage romance in this film, something kids my age will relate to all too well. Not only does McConaughey kill it as a man running from the law who has a soft spot on him (and a cobra tattoo, but I'll let you find that one out), but really solid supporting roles are churned out from the likes of Sam Shepard, Mud's "father," Reese Witherspoon, the femme fatal (though at times Witherspoon's movie star looks make it a tad hard to believe she's a little trashy as the film suggests) and Ray McKinnon, Ellis' defeated father. Michael Shannon pops up in his fleeting pre-General Zod role, but the role is ultimately pointless and the movie would've rolled along fine without him. The director's (Jeff Nichols) history of making movies with Shannon explains the role.
So while you're bombarded with overbearingly trembling trailers from the likes of "Man of Steel," "Thor 2" and "Star Trek," keep "Mud" in the back of your mind....actually keep it in the very forefront of your mind when you decide to buy your ticket. It's rich with character and simple but effective detail that make it not only a strong contender for this year's Academy Awards, but a strong contender for the top spot on my end of the year best of!
Rating: 4/4 stars (The first of the year!)
"Mud," like its title, begins deceptively simple with two young country boys going out on their cheap motorboat exploring. Right away the movie flashes similarities to one of my favorite 80's films "Stand by Me," and that's a direction you can never go wrong in. I'm a sucker for films with kids who try to act grown up, it makes their coming-of-age story that more interesting. The kids in question are Ellis and Neckbone (they never do reveal his real name), and their chemistry has to be one of the realest things I've ever seen put to screen. They don't speak of hopeful adventure or the chance they might find something amazing....they're two bored Arkansans with nothing to do but patrol the waters and chat in small talk about girls. Coming from Virginia, these boys are nothing new.
As I said, the plot unravels into a more complex and completely interesting and entertaining piece of southern art. You have the most un-Hollywood teenage romance in this film, something kids my age will relate to all too well. Not only does McConaughey kill it as a man running from the law who has a soft spot on him (and a cobra tattoo, but I'll let you find that one out), but really solid supporting roles are churned out from the likes of Sam Shepard, Mud's "father," Reese Witherspoon, the femme fatal (though at times Witherspoon's movie star looks make it a tad hard to believe she's a little trashy as the film suggests) and Ray McKinnon, Ellis' defeated father. Michael Shannon pops up in his fleeting pre-General Zod role, but the role is ultimately pointless and the movie would've rolled along fine without him. The director's (Jeff Nichols) history of making movies with Shannon explains the role.So while you're bombarded with overbearingly trembling trailers from the likes of "Man of Steel," "Thor 2" and "Star Trek," keep "Mud" in the back of your mind....actually keep it in the very forefront of your mind when you decide to buy your ticket. It's rich with character and simple but effective detail that make it not only a strong contender for this year's Academy Awards, but a strong contender for the top spot on my end of the year best of!
Rating: 4/4 stars (The first of the year!)
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