Mud Movie Review

Another Art-house/drama movie that a few people recommended I check out. The Place Beyond the Pines scored an A+, but does Mud even compare?

Mud is directed and written by Jeff Nichols and is the story of 2 boys who run across a fugitive named Mud on an island out on a river. The plot of the film unravels from there and that's our movie. I'm not going to tell you why Mud is out on this island as well as many other things in this movie for a very good reason..

The plot of this movie is most effective if you know as little as possible. I knew nothing about this movie before I watched it, I was very surprised when a movie called Mud was recommended to me. However, I did know that Mud received a very limited release in April 2013 and the DVD hit stores in my town recently. I got it and it was truly worth the watch.

I'll try and talk about this movie in as little detail as possible because the movie is much more effective at surprising you when the plot takes certain direction changes that you weren't expecting. It seems a basic plot when you think about it while watching the movie but after watching it you realise how much was really going on with each of the characters involved. That's another thing I like about this movie; all of the characters are relevant to the plot.

Also, this movie has a very impressive script. The dialogue between the characters is basic on the surface yet so cleverly written when you start to think about it afterwards. Each of the characters have Southern accents (the movie is based in Arkansas) which helps add to the overall tone of the movie.

That's another thing that this movie does much like The Place Beyond the Pines. I'm sorry I keep on making these comparisons but I have to in order to illustrate my point. In The Place Beyond the Pines, small details in the movie help gave it an overall dark feel of suspense and drama. Mud uses small details plus some good filmmaking to give the area the story is set in character as well as making it feel suspenseful and dramatic!

I do have a few major gripes about this movie though. The movie itself is probably a little drawn out in all honesty and doesn't really have that same re-watch value that other great movies seem to have. Also, its a movie that is very hard to be appreciated by all audiences. It is also a long film that requires time investment. The weakest link in the story involves Tye Sheridan's character, which I'll talk about in a minute. There is a certain story arc involved with him which I didn't think was that well done. I know why its in the movie but I'm just not the biggest fan of it..

This movie is however visually stunning. Some clever use of focus and camera angles add to the pleasant viewing experience this movie is. It's visually beautiful. Some shots used in this movie just ooze style! It's immersive and impressive!

But the best part of the movie are the characters involved. Movie makers should probably learn this, if you're movie has good characters audiences can care about then you can build off of that and create a very successful movie..

Matthew McConaughey is the title role in this movie and he is seriously fantastic as Mud. He completely nails all of the characteristics required of his character in such a cool way. His performance is very professional indeed plus his lines were delivered with the right amount of enthusiasm; they weren't lacklustre but also weren't overacted. Great job Mr McConaughey, can't wait to see you in Interstellar!.

Tye Sheridan plays one of the kid actors in this movie. The other one does a good job in this movie it has to be said but this guy is truly fantastic. Dane DeHaan is probably my favourite young actor of the year due to his performance in The Place Beyond the Pines but as an out-and-out child, Sheridan gets it for me. He is superb! He was a brilliant choice for the role as you could sympathize with him as well as relate to his character, which has a layer of depth to it making him much more relatable as a character to the audience!

The supporting cast are all good just like they were The Place Beyond the Pines. But in that film all of the actors were trying to deliver the performance of their lives! Its not as good in this movie but the supporting cast are all very good indeed. Michael Shannon does enough with the screen time you get with him. The same can be said of Reese Witherspoon.

The best part of this movie is of course the characters but also the way that interact with each other is fantastic. The way they talk with one another is so convincing and so well done. Its grounded in realism which makes the movie much less fantastical and more dark and gritty. All of the actors, young or old, have great chemistry between one another plus have the right amount of depth to them so the audience can relate and care about them.

Mud is a beautiful piece of film making and I would give it this rating:


Rating - A

1 sentence summary - A very realistic, dark and gritty movie with some stand out acting performances and fantastic chemistry between characters!


I think Mud is a fine movie but it isn't as good as The Place Beyond the Pines. It is still one of the best movies I've seen all year. And yes, its a 2013 movie.

Thanks for reading,
Matt