Film Review: "Mud" (2012).

"Entangled in his past. Running from the law. All for love." This is Mud. This coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Jeff Nichols. The film centres on Ellis and Neckbone, two young men, who chance upon a fugitive who is escaping from those who are out to get him. The boys decide to help the man and reunite him with his lover.

In the 1990s, Nichols came up with the concept for the film while he was still a student. Nichols began developing the story, inspired by Mark Twain's works, including the 1876 novel Tom Sawyer. He also sought to reflect the theme of love. Nichols always had McConaughey in mind, after seeing him in Lone Star (1996). In May 2011, Chris Pine was first in talks for the lead role. In August, McConaughey was cast, as well as Reese Witherspoon. For the local boys of a small Delta town, Nichols cast boys who could already pilot boats and ride dirt bikes, instead of ones who would have to be taught on set. For the role of Neckbone, over two thousand boys auditioned. By late September, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Sam Shepard, Sarah Paulson, Michael Shannon, Joe Don Baker, and Paul Sparks. At the same, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in late November. Filming took place throughout Arkansas, and was shot on Kodak VISION3 35mm film, in the anamorphic format with Panavision G-Series lenses, and utilised a Steadicam. The cast and crew numbered over a hundred people, around half of whom were Arkansas residents. Over four hundred locals were also involved as extras.

The film stars McConaughey, Witherspoon, Sheridan, Lofland, Shepard, Paulson, Shannon, Baker, and Sparks. The cast gave towering performances, especially McConaughey. It is the gift of actor McConaughey as Mud that while appearing to be a strange man and father figure with a genuine connection with Sherian and Lofland's Ellis and Neckbone, he also can evoke by his eyes and manner a deep unease. Witherspoon is just as preoccupying here as in the better films she's appeared in this year.

McConaughey gives a powerhouse performance and the purposefully subtle filmmaking creates a perfect blend of drama. Boasting a dramatic intensity throughout, the intensity builds to near unbearable levels in this effective and powerful portrait of unconventional connection and love. Dig beneath the surface and you'll find a sweet and very powerful tale about the strength that can be found in partnerships and the resilience of love. What makes Nichols' film so satisfying, at least until the melodrama of the final act, is the deftness of the characterisations and the constant sense that things are probably considerably more complex than they're perceived. Tight editing and pace make for a careful and thoughtful film that is a very strong piece of cinema. I would definitely recommend watching the film for the incredible dramatic sequences and the great performances. It will definitely leave you thinking and there's something to be said for that.

Simon says Mud receives: