Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Mud


Jeff Nichols makes films about lower class American people stuck in tumultuous situations. He roots in his films in truth, lets his camera gently eavesdrop on the story, and asks his actors to immerse themselves in the world he creates. Nichols’ first feature, the Malick-esque Shotgun Stories, chronicles a feud between two families in constant battle over the father who raised them all. His fever dream of a film, Take Shelter, is a haunting depiction of a man slowly losing touch with reality. And now we’re presented with Mud, an eerie southern tale of innocence lost and adolescent confusion.

Early in Mud, two Arkansas boys, the cautious Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and the temperamental Neckbone (Jacod Lofland), dock their boat on a deserted island and go exploring in its woods. Soon into their journey, they discover a medium-sized boat resting suspiciously in a large tree. As most any precocious teenager would, they climb the tree, enter the boat and claim it as their own secret fort. But plastic shopping bags and empty cans of beans make it clear that someone has beat them to it. They descend from the tree and soon discover the calm, dirty, pistol-packing Mud (Matthew McConaughey) fishing nearby.

The three quickly develop a rapport, in which the boys agree to bring Mud food, and keep his presence private. The boys suspect that Mud is hiding for committing a crime, but it doesn’t matter, Mud brings excitement into their lives in ways too captivating to ignore.
But there is more. Much more. There is the story of a lonely young woman, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), waiting to be reunited with Mud. There is the story of the men watching Juniper, hoping that the battered blonde will lead them to Mud. There is Ellis’ quick transformation into early manhood via love, regret and witnessed parental anguish.

Now, because Mud is played by Matthew McConaughey, we shouldn’t be faulted for not knowing what to expect from the character. As McConaughey has recently proved, the man is capable of provoking intense fear, utter dread, and unexpected humor, sometimes all at once. There’s a current unpredictability to McConaughey that makes his Mud character work so well. I wasn’t sure if I should observe him with trepidation or care – did he deserve my compassion, or should I be more hesitant? It’s yet another complex character McConaughey conveys remarkably. At this point, the actor simply can do no wrong.

Reese Witherspoon, delivering her best work since Walk the Line (if not Election) excels as Juniper. She’s a woman so lost in her own conflict that she may never find any functional resolve. Michael Shannon (the star of Nichols previous two films) puts in steady work as Neckbone’s amusing uncle, while Sarah Paulson and Ray McKinnon (as Ellis’ parents) let their shared silence speak volumes as an unhappy married couple.
But the real star here is Tye Sheridan, who, as Ellis, delivers a fearless performance of teenage angst. Previously seen as the middle child in The Tree of Life, Sheridan is equipped with a cold stare and a hardened, confident voice that many older, far more popular actors strive for. Despite the film’s title, Mud is in many ways about the failure of youth through Ellis’ eyes. It’s a mystifying performance that had me enthralled throughout.

It’s funny, while watching Mud, I was reminded of a time from my own childhood. I grew up in a small Virginia town that, while not quite as backass country as the town in Mud, was frustratingly limited all the same. Often, there was nothing more to do than get a few friends together and go exploring in the woods. One day, my best friend and I discovered a massive, old, rusted tractor buried deep in the woods. This tractor had a large central compartment that could easily fit four people, and after discovering it, my friend and I claimed it as our own. We visited the tractor routinely, and one day, we were stunned to find cans of food in the tractor, clear evidence to a new inhabitant. The 27-year-old me likes to think that I would’ve ignored a stranger, had my friend and I discovered one. But the 13-year-old me is still curious if I would’ve lingered. A-

20 comments:

  1. I really loved this movie and I think it's Nichols' best feature yet. I agree that Shannon, McConaughey, and Witherspoon (I'd even say Shepherd as well) deliver some of their best work to date in here but like you it was Sheridan who really stole the show. I wasn't aware that he was one of the kids from Tree of Life, but now it certainly makes sense as to why he is so good in this. Often when I see a child actor, you can tell that they're still sort of green and even if they're good, they're just that good. This was the first time I can actually remember seeing a child actor deliver such a stunning performance. This kid is definitely bound for greatness.

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    1. Shepherd was fantastic as well, no doubt. Just couldn't manage to fit him in my review. I agree that Sheridan's performance is one of the finer child performances I've ever seen. Kid has massive talent.

      Really glad you liked the movie!

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  2. I've been wanting to see this film since I heard about it at last year's Cannes Film Festival as I really do love Take Shelter and am eager to check out more from Jeff Nichols.

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    1. I think you'll like this one. But I REALLY think you'll like Nichols' first film, Shotgun Stories. It's remarkable.

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  3. Glad you liked it man. Should be seeing this later this week, and I'm really looking forward to it. I also need to watch Shotgun Stories at some point, as I loved Take Shelter.

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    1. I think you'll dig this one, my friend. Shotgun Stories is still my favorite of his, but Mud is a fierce damn flick, no doubt.

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  4. Man, it'll only be a matter of time before McConaughey will get nominated. (There's a sentence I'd never thought I'd type.) I really hope he'll get some recognition from this.

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    1. Oh I hope so too. I wonder if they'll market him as lead actor here (he was definitely a supporting, in my opinion). With the Dallas Buyers Club hitting later this year, I think his chances for a nom are at an all time high.

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  5. Definitely prefer to see Mud over Iron Man 3(which I have zero interest in). I'll read your review, once I've seen Jeff Nichols latest.

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    1. I don't even know why I bother with movies like Iron Man 3 anymore. I know I'm not going to like it, yet I put myself through it anyway.

      (sigh), oh well, Mud rocks and that's all that matters here!

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  6. Great characters, but even better performances that give you the sense that everybody came locked, loaded, and ready to act their asses off. Even Witherspoon, who hasn't been this good since June Carter. Good review bud.

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    1. Hell yeah man, I totally agree with you. Everyone in this film simply killed it. They made the movie.

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  7. You sold me on this movie with the first sentence of your review. :-) I really liked Take Shelter, and this sounds like one I'd love.

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    1. Nice! Mud definitely fits well among Nichols' body of work. I hope you like it :)

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  8. Wonderful review, I loved that ending anecdote! I live near the woods but apparently there are wolves in them now so I don't go there :P

    I'm very excited about this one. I really loved Take Shelter and I like when a celebrity glamorous actresses play battered characters, as it seems to be the case with Witherspoon here.

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    1. Thanks! Yes, stay away from the wolves. Far, far away.

      Witherspoon's role is small, but she definitely excels in it. It'd be great if this leads to more challenging roles for her. I think she has the capacity to perform really well.

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  9. Great look at this one, man. I really liked your note at the end, too. This movie made me feel like a kid again -- it perfectly captured that sense of adventure that growing up in a rural area provides.

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    1. Thanks, Eric! Yes, exactly... if nothing else, Mud captures the adventure and essence of being a kid in that specific setting. That's a great way to put it.

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  10. Still have not managed to see this one yet and it slowly killing me... Nice review Alex

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    1. Thanks man. Ahh, do try to check it out if you get a chance!

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